Our Favourites: Three Modern Churches

We present three modern churches that have convinced our editorial team in every respect: the dynamically diagonally designed New Apostolic Church in Lausanne, Switzerland, the crystalline-looking parish church in Poing near Munich, and a floating house of worship in London.

Dynamic Diagonal: New Apostolic Church in Lausanne

On behalf of the New Apostolic Church, the Localarchitecture office planned the conversion of the existing church in Lausanne. The structural extension made of solid exposed concrete also creates a new entrance area; wood and glass round off the material palette. In an interplay of contrasts, heavy concrete now stands next to a light post-and-beam construction.

Client: Neuapostolische Kirche Schweiz (NAK)    
Architecture: Localarchitecture
Location: Chemin de la Batelière 5, Lausanne (CH)

A Crystalline Impression: Parish Church in Poing

With its shimmering white roof, the church of Blessed Father Rupert Mayer has become a new landmark in Poing. An imposing solitaire, the sculptural structure stands clearly visible along on the main road in the new town centre being developed by the municipality to cope with the steady increase in population.

Client: Katholische Kirchenstiftung St. Michael, Erzbischöfliches Ordinariat München
Architecture: Meck Architekten
Location: Gruberstraße, 85586 Poing (DE)

When the Ship Comes in: Floating Church in London

Wide-beam narrowboats are slender long barges that ply the canals of England. Denizen Works together with boat designer Tony Tucker and Turks Shipyard has created such a barge as a floating church space for the east London parish of St. Columba. The boat’s innovative pop-up roof is reminiscent of the organ bellows of an old church organ.

Client: Diözese London
Architecture: Denizen Works
Marine engineer: Tucker Designs
Furniture: Plyco
Location: East London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park