Adaptive reuse of St. Bartholomäi church, Zerbst

Idea projektu

Church of St. Bartholomäi is situated in central part of Zerbst. It was severely damaged during the Second World war. Renovations which took place after the war divided the church into two volumes, one of which is currently used for services and another is not active and presents itself a ruin without roof.
This renovation project included construction of new inner partitions, ceiling and a new roof, different from original in form and height. The image of the church exterior and interior was changed, its parts are disconnected in exterior and interior (inside the view is partially sustained by glass partitions).
The original task included recreation of the church as a whole building. Yet the analysis showed that the church of this size is not needed in Zebst due to amount of citizens and other churches in the city. Therefore, I decided to partly keep the division of the building into two halves, one of which will be used as a church while the other will turn into multifunctional transformable space. Such positioning can activate the space and lead new users into it.

Popis projektu

First important task was to design a new roof constuction. The outline of the roof, including height and slopes, was recreated according to historic information and preserved part of western wall. The concept for the design based on the principle of self-bearing system, which does not directly add loads to historical walls, columns and arches. New pillars are placed in side naves and are synchronised with existing column spacing. Between the double pillars preserved elements formerly bearing the vaults are open. The outline of the construction referrs to gothic elements to support the most visible stylistic layer of the building.
In the multifunctional part of the building a new ceiling is constructed, supported by its own pillars and beam system. This creates more variability and space inside, which can be used according to community's needs. It also creates renews the interior perception, reminding the lost atmosphere lost after the original first floor was demolished. To access to the new first floor existing openings are used. New staircase is proposed in western entrance part, supported by the columns which bear the new roof of this part. Spiral staircase in tower is also recreated.
The areas of multifunctional and church part are divided by partitions with arched finishings. Their form referrs to original window tracery.
To create different zones inside multifunctional area a modular system is proposed. It can be installed between posts of first floor ceiling or independently with wooden columns. System includes such elements as columns, walls, walls with doors, counters and roofs (consisting of supporting element and two covering panels). All of them can be easily disassembled and stored in service areas, proposed in unlit parts of side naves. The decoration on sides of the partitions referrs to the ribs of historical vaults. The form of chandeliers in interior also uses this pattern, recreating the image of historical vaulted ceiling.

Technické informace

The new roof construction consists of laminated wood trusses to sustain warm atmosphere in interior and have a reference to original wooden roof construction. The roof, covering most of the areas is made of smart-tinting glass to protect the interior from overheating and greenhouse effect during sunny days and catch as much light as possible during winter days. Above the new altar zone glass is more clear to let sunrays fall and light up the area and keep true to the middle age idea of altar as a lighthouse.
The structure of the partitions between multifunctional and church parts, as well as the modular system is made of laminated wood and filled with acoustic panels. This choise makes the zones, created by modular partitions, soundproof, and allows to have the elements light enough to move manually.

Dokumentace

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