Architects: Brandlhuber X Düttmann.
Location: Berlin.
Year: 2013 X 1967.
Photography: Philipp Langenheim, Courtsey of FvF, Brandlhuber.
Due to the buildings’ history and heritage designation, turning the former St. Agnes church and community centre into an arts and culture complex needed a particularly delicate approach. Since 2004, the church, which was designed by German architect Werner Düttmann, has not been utilised for its original function. The church’s high maintenance costs and declining congregation had compelled debates about its potential demolition, which the church itself referred to as the “ultima ratio.” Hence, for short-term use, an ecclesiastical organisation rented out the vacant church. The group was recognised as an architectural landmark in 2008. As soon as it was vacant once more in 2011, debate about its potential usage started. There were fewer interested parties who could persuade the owners of both a sound utilisation idea and a recovery plan because the church only permitted limited programmes. In the end, the property owners chose to lease the structure for 99 years to German art dealer Johann König. This legal and historical situation necessitated a very delicate approach. The idea was to fill the main church room with a concrete slab, concrete table, and a surrounding void.
