Herz Jesu Kirche, Munich, Germany


Related people
Addison Godel (was created by)
Allmann, Sattler and Wappner (was created by)
Date
1994 (previous church destroyed by fire), 1996-8 (new construction)
Description
"In 1994, the church previously occupying this inner-city site was destroyed by fire. The new church consists of a volume set within another volume: a translucent glass cube envelops a timber shrine, which houses the main liturgical space. Access to the church from the forecourt is via two small wicket doors within the huge entrance portal. From the vestibule, the route leads beneath a massive concrete organ loft into the main space, which is filled with light. The inner spatial enclosure consists of a timber-framed screen containing more than 2,000 vertical wood louvres, arranged in such a way that the light increases in intensity towards the altar. In contrast, the outer facade is in clear glass at the vestibule end, but completely opaque at the altar end, thus shielding this area from external view. Another important feature of the design is the programme of art. The entire altar wall is taken up by a shimmering, golden, metal-fabric curtain, into which the form of a cross is woven (artists: S. and B. Lutzenberger). The narrow space between the outer facade and the louvred wall is a way of the Cross, the various Stations which are formed by black-and-white photos of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem(artist: M. Wahner). Sunk into the floor of the nave are five chambers containing abstract depictions of the five wounds in Christ's body (artists: M. Weiss and M. de Mattia). The 436 glass panels in the main portal bear images of nails arranged to form an inscription of Christ's Passion from the St. John's Gospel (artist: A. Beleschenko)." --Church of the Sacred Heart in Munich. Detail, March 2001, p. 264. Keywords: Germany, Bavaria, Oberbayern, Munich, views, Heart of Jesus Church, ceremonial and/or religious structures, objects. Submitted by Zachary Snyder.
Style/Period
1990s (1990 - 1999)
Material
wood (hardwood or softwood)
metal or metal products