Autobahnkirche Siegerland

Autobahnkirche Siegerland or Autobahnkirche an der A 45 is an ecumenical Christian road church at the Bundesautobahn 45 near Wilnsdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Opened in 2013, the building has received several architecture awards.

Autobahnkirche Siegerland
Exterior
50.8176°N 8.0869°E / 50.8176; 8.0869
LocationWilnsdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
DenominationEcumenic
Websitewww.autobahnkirche-siegerland.de
History
Consecrated2013 (2013)
Architecture
Architect(s)Schneider + Schumacher
Exterior, back

History

The church is one of several German road churches which was initiated by private patrons and was financed primarily by donations. The building was erected following a design by Schneider + Schumacher from Frankfurt which won a 2009 competition.[1] It was inaugurated on 26 May 2013 and received several architecture awards.[2]

The church is dedicated to quiet contemplation[3] by Christians of all denominations and is always open.[2][3] It is run by the Förderverein Autobahnkirche Siegerland association. The association organises a Wochenschluss-Andacht on Fridays and occasional cultural events with religious themes, such as sacred music.[2]

Architecture

The exterior is based on simple geometric elements such as triangles, mostly in white.[1] The silhouette alludes to the pictogram for the German road churches. It resembles a piece of folded paper, with an allusion to two towers.[4] The entrance area features a typographic installation by Peter Zizka, quoting from Psalm 91:11 (Er hat seinen Engeln befohlen dich zu behüten auf allen deinen Wegen - For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways).[4]

The interior, dominated by wood, contrasts with the abstract exterior. An "organic" wooden structure is reminiscent of a tent.[4][5] A wooden free-standing structure is focused on the altar, enhanced by indirect lighting.[4]

Awards

The building was awarded several architecture prizes, including:

  • Iconic Awards 2013[6]
  • DAM Preis für Architektur in Deutschland 2013[7]
  • AIT Award 2014[8]
  • Publikumspreis A + Award: "spektakulärstes religiöses Gebäude 2014"[9]

References
  1. "Autobahnkirche Siegerland". baunetzwissen.de (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  2. "Autobahnkirche Siegerland". Wilnsdorf (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. Kippenberger, Susanne (16 April 2017). "Architektur, die berührt / Kommet zuhauf!". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. "Autobahnkirche in Wilnsdorf". inspiration.detail.de (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  5. Virtuose Einfachheit. Eine Autobahnkirche im Siegerland. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 18 December 2014, international edition, p. 46.
  6. "Auszeichnungen | Autobahnkirche Siegerland". www.autobahnkirche-siegerland.de.
  7. "DAM Preis für Architektur in Deutschland 2013 – Die 22 besten Bauten in aus Deutschland". Deutscher Architekturmuseums (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  8. "Auszeichnungen | Autobahnkirche Siegerland". www.autobahnkirche-siegerland.de.
  9. "Auszeichnungen | Autobahnkirche Siegerland". www.autobahnkirche-siegerland.de.
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