Competition Church Wipkingen (2nd prize)

Miyuki Inoue

The competition proposes a reversible transformation of the Wipkingen church, built in 1909, to serve as additional space for the nearby Waidhalde school. The goal is to preserve the church's historical and architectural integrity while accommodating the school's functional needs. The key feature is a freestanding, three-story tower placed in the central nave, which consolidates the main functions—a multipurpose hall, dining area, and library—into a compact vertical structure. This approach minimizes the footprint and retains the church's spatial openness.

The tower is designed as a hybrid structure of steel and wood, with the lower level enclosed in glass and the upper levels clad in translucent polycarbonate panels. This translucent surface allows natural light to filter in, maintaining a connection between the new structure and the surrounding church. Large windows in the tower align with the church’s existing stained-glass windows, reinforcing visual and light-based relationships. At night, the tower glows from within, echoing the church's historic lantern-like aesthetic.

Energy efficiency is a central concern, with only the tower and specific areas of the church fully heated, while other parts are lightly tempered to reduce energy consumption. Floor heating and insulation upgrades further enhance the building’s sustainability. The intervention is designed to be largely independent of the existing church structure, allowing for future removal without damage to the original substance.

The project achieves a balance between preserving the church's historical character and providing modern, flexible spaces for school use, ensuring minimal impact on the existing architecture.

Project Gallery

View from the lounge area

Floor plan

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House technical concept

Miyuki Inoue CH

http://www.hir-architekten.ch
Sihlfeldstrasse 10 | 8003 Zürich