gian salis adds light-filled foyer to historic church in switzerland

an addition to a historic church in boswil, switzerland has been introduced to bring together the old and new new. dating back from the 1100s, the baroque-style church building has undergone many stages of alterations throughout the years. it was ultimately re-programmed to a concert hall in the 1960’s which has become renowned in the area today.

all images © gian salis

completed by gian salis architektur, this new foyer is structured on the nave of the existing church building. the oversized roof projects upwards, creating a lifted motion to welcome guests and is supported onto the churchwall above the south portal. the lightly curving character giving a formal character to the annexe and altogether, becomes part of the church but appears as a single entity in itself belonging to the park.

‘above the stairs the roof vaults adding a generosity to the space without blocking the existing windows of the church.’ comments the architects on the foyer’s construction. ‘the roof appears like a huge cloth set in motion by the wind. thanks to the innovative construction out of multiple bended laminated timber beams that are rigidly joined with wooden blocks allows the 9m spanning roof to appear thin and offers good acoustics.’

baroque details are seen by the suspended glass lamps that have been specifically hand blown and the elegantly curving staircase that leads into the refurbished facilities. the timber ceiling generates movement which is captured by the large amounts of natural light entering through the glazed façades with filigree metal frames.

project info:

client: stiftung künstlerhaus boswil
competition: 2014
completion: 2017
architecture: gian salis architektur, zürich
project team: gian salis, thomas meyer, thierry fehr
structural engineer: walter bieler, bonaduz
landscape architecture: jane bihr – de salis, kallern