St. Martha Church

Competition 2015

After destruction by fire, the concept for the reconstruction of St. Martha's Church is selected in a one-stage competition.

The competition

After St. Martha's Church in Nuremberg was largely destroyed by fire in June 2014, the Evangelical Reformed congregation announced a competition for the reconstruction of the church at the end of 2014.

The church, founded in 1363 by Konrad and Johann von Walstromer, is located in the Old Town of Nuremberg and stands out from the cityscape due to its set-back position between two houses. The late Gothic pointed roof of the nave is complemented by stained glass windows in the choir, which were inserted in 1390. These remained undamaged by the fire in 2014, as they had previously been removed because renovation work had already begun. However, the organ built in 1990 was completely destroyed in the fire.

In the concept for the reconstruction of the church, the chances of a new beginning should now be combined with the history of the old Martha Church.

Our concept

The niche-like forecourt of the church will be preserved as a place of deceleration and hospitality, thus forming an antipole to the urban bustle. The newly interpreted gallery complex offers the congregation a variety of uses for the church space through its variable structure. Small and large church services, concerts and non-worship events can be held here without any problems and reflect the Protestant-Lutheran concept of the open church. The ground floor is made accessible as a communicative space by the open row of pillars of the gallery. Due to the uniform floor level, the church room appears as an open, non-hierarchical space that invites direct exchange. Material and atmosphere correspond to the historical conditions - wooden elements and a light colouring of the walls create a friendly space and correspond to the basic idea of the gothic church building. The gallery offers space for church music and integrates the also newly built organ acoustically and visually. The roof construction will be rebuilt as a truss construction.