New Parish House with Administrative Wing St. Magdalena, Lütgendortmund
Design Competition: 2016 - 1st Prize
Completion: Summer 2021
The church square of the Catholic parish St. Magdalena in Lütgendortmund now presents itself as open, inviting, and versatile. It was created by the construction of the new parish house with an integrated administrative wing, forming a harmonious ensemble with the church. This was not always the case: when Deen Architects from Münster won the competition for the new building, the existing structures were lined up along the street. The centrally located parish house with a private garden separated the public functions of the church and the community center. The latter was only accessible via the public road, and a high wall enclosed the area.
The two-story new building is now oriented with its long side facing the street, defining the new church square. This has created a new pathway between the church and community center along the new parish house. The wall was removed, and the square was framed with grass and trees. The recessed entrance to the parish office on the ground floor faces the church. Visitors enter through a windbreak directly into the open-designed front office connected to the back office area. Additional offices overlooking the square are located on the south side, while the north side accommodates the archive and auxiliary rooms.
The large glass surfaces on the ground floor allow ample daylight into the building, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Vertical wooden slats provide the necessary privacy between the working areas and the semi-public outdoor space.
Two apartments, including the parish apartment, are located on the upper floor. They are accessed via the central staircase, which also allows direct entry from the ground floor parish office to the pastor's study. The red facing brickwork, a durable and aging-resistant material, was also used in the church, visually connecting the two buildings as a unit. The facade design of the church was abstractly adapted on the new building through the window framing. The window wings and entrance doors were designed as closed wooden elements, subtly emphasizing them within the facade and giving the building a contemporary appearance.
The building envelope is highly insulated, the roof is greened, and the windows are triple-glazed. Energy is generated sustainably via a combined heat and power unit. A wall box for charging electric cars is available in the underground garages
