Chapel of Christ the King

2011-2018

An important part of the extension is the construction of a new chapel on the first floor of the new building south of Altenberg Cathedral, which follows the historical route of the Gothic cloister. The position of the new building, derived from history, presents the chapel with the challenge of an elongated spatial proportion in a north-south direction, contrary to the liturgical orientation to the east. The result is an asymmetrical, double-vaulted space consisting of a permanently furnished main room and a deliberately empty side area. The liturgical area is centred on a cross that is important to the history of Haus Altenberg and seems to float in the light of the open-worked glass wall behind it.

This modern tracery window represented one of the greatest challenges of the planning and construction process, both in terms of planning and construction. The geometry and offset of the tracery stones follow the building techniques that have been handed down since the Middle Ages, as does the grisaille coating of the glass panes. However, the free arrangement of the tracery stones in the interior and their materialisation in cast concrete elements are contemporary components of the façade. As in the neighbouring cathedral, the light of the house chapel is ‘shaped’ by the special window construction and design and stands in the room like ‘frozen fog’ on special days.

Cologne Architecture Award 2018
DAM Prize 2019 Shortlist
EU Mies van der Rohe Award Nominee