
Catholic parish center Maria Gnaden - Berlin-Hermsdorf
In 2011, D:4 developed the planning concept for the new Maria Gnaden community center, which meets the current usage requirements of the community and was built next to the existing church.
New construction of a community center
New church and parish buildings are a rare construction task, as parishes usually maintain and renovate their existing properties. Nevertheless, the Catholic parish of Maria Gnaden decided to replace the old parish hall from the 1960s with an innovative new building and commissioned D:4 with the planning and implementation.


Planning concept
The design aims to further develop the existing buildings to meet today's functional requirements: low energy requirements, accessibility and parallel usage options. The architecture creates a close link between the exterior and interior spaces.
Two flexibly usable halls are accessed via a large foyer, which is also used for events. Both halls are barrier-free and connected to storage rooms. In order to keep construction and operating costs low, the building was designed to be compact with a green pitched roof.
Architecture and materials
The façade combines openness for energy efficiency with high windows that provide visual lightness in the monolithic structure. Simple, easy-care materials were used inside to adapt the atmosphere to the respective use.
The shape of the building, with a rising roof edge, reflects the different room heights and marks the Great Hall on the new forecourt.
The building is now firmly integrated into community life and is also used for private celebrations. D:4 was awarded first prize in the invited competition and the Reinickendorfer Bauherrenpreis for the design and realization.








"Last but not least we would like to thank the architectural office D:4 with Mr. Jörn Focken and Mr. Nitschke, who with their idea for the GZ responded very precisely to the requirements of the community and created this modern, sophisticated new building. On the part of the district's monument authority, the building has been praised as a very positive example of modern architecture in the vicinity of a listed building. The architects took a lot of time for our many questions and requests for changes, they were patient when a community meeting or committee meeting had to be held first to reach a decision, and they gave us many practical and aesthetically good suggestions. We can be proud of the result, it was an excellent collaboration.
The architect in charge of the construction was Ms. Höfer. Respected by all the construction workers, sometimes friendly, sometimes demanding, she organized the completion of the new building within the time frame. I have great respect for her performance, I would have had a crisis often enough with the many questions and problems that arose. She always firmly believed that we would finish on time - and she was right."