The Algard church, located just outside Stavanger, Norway, was specifically designed to cater to the needs of a lively community, which required more than a typical church, including classrooms, an office, and a café. It was designed so that these additional spaces would not disrupt or impact the church area in any manner. Link Arkitektur was given the task of designing a structure that would serve as not only a place of worship but also a community center, instilling pride among the congregation.
The location contains hills and valleys that slope beautifully to create an amazing landscape. The architects wanted to carry this into the design to ensure that the building married its natural context.
That perhaps explains the curvy roof that gently slopes from the highest point to create a valley-like feel – an ideal similarity to the small town’s location. The requirement by the church’s congregation for the form to be dynamic and outstanding moved the architects to design a sculptural form that appears to evolve out of the landscape.
To provide for the extra spaces required, the architects decided to lower the ground floor slightly into the terrain. By doing that, more spaces were created under the ground level to accommodate classrooms, offices and a café, while the Church remained the most prominent space on the site.
The building’s shape screams modernity with a structure that is made of Glulam beams, creating a network of triangles. All the triangles are placed to face upwards in order to reflect light into the church. Through this, the architects created the kind of refraction that is so common in dome vaults.
The network of triangles also includes closed triangles that have in-built LED lights. The corner point is slightly lifted upwards on the northern façade to offer additional daylight into the room. This light falls along the church’s floor in the park part of the room.
For a location whose existing buildings are somewhat dull, the church is a show of the vibrancy exuded by the inhabitants. Also, don't forget to check out Hegnhuset Memorial And Learning Center In Norway, a memorial place of remembrance.
Project Information
Architects:
Link Arkitektur
Location:
Ålgård, Norway
Area: 1,980 sq.m
Completed: 2015
Photography:
Hundven Clements
