riku ikegaya's steel-pipe scaffolding installation revamps st. elisabeth church in berlin

heavily damaged during world war two, famed architect karl friedrich schinkel’s st. elisabeth church in berlin chronicles a historical, cultural, and social change. as an homage to his artistry, japanese urban architect riku ikegaya’s ‘nested churches’ installation features a steel-pipe scaffolding within the building, consisting of a scale model of schinkel’s architectural plans of the church.

a scale model of schinkel’s architectural plans of the church

the sublime serenity of the church combined with the vital presence of the visitors creates a unique atmosphere. ikegaya‘s installation appears to be a three-dimensional architectural sketch in which guests can contemplate the auratic memory of the space. the neon sign on the scaffolding reads ‘ des herrn wort bleibet in ewigkeit’ which translates to ‘but the word of the lord endureth forever’ — the contrast of the stated bible verse and the unfinished scaffolding installation suggests that ‘the temporality of human existence is juxtaposed with concepts of eternity‘, according to the architect.

the unrefined pipe structure is a statement peice 

the vital presence of the visitors creates a unique atmosphere in the church 

observation and worship expresse the past and the ambience of the church

‘church in church’ emerges as not only a physical existence but an invisible matter as well

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom