Who would imagine a church could resemble origami? Here at St. Paulus Weckhoven, the building before you embodies that very concept. This isn’t your typical church. Constructed between 1966 and 1968, St. Paulus Weckhoven stands as a testament to the ingenuity of architect Fritz Schaller and structural engineer Stefan Polonyi. They envisioned a church inspired by the tent-making profession of St. Paul himself. The result is a structure with remarkably thin, 7cm thick concrete walls, clad in copper, creating a blurred line between the interior and the exterior. The unique folded design, reminiscent of Japanese origami, isn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It’s a feat of engineering. These folds, or triangular forms, are integral to the stability of the structure, supporting the delicate shell roof without the need for pillars. Light filters through milk glass panels set within the open triangles at the roof’s peak, illuminating the interior. Notice the horizontal stained-glass window that wraps around the church. Above it, the concrete origami unfolds, a testament to innovative design and the possibilities of concrete. A separate 40-meter tower echoes the church’s origami design in its lower section, transitioning to a wooden structure, also clad in copper. The surrounding low houses, also incorporating copper elements, house members of the church community. Inside, a unique triangular stained-glass piece by Franz Pauli hangs above the altar, adding to the church’s artistic character. So next time you think of origami, remember St. Paulus Weckhoven, the church where concrete takes flight.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to