marte marte composes concrete volumes for fresach diocesan museum

marte marte composes concrete volumes for fresach diocesan museum
photo © marc lins photography
all images courtesy of marte marte architects

located on the fringes of a village in the austrian alps, marte marte architekten have created the ‘fresach diocesan museum’ to complement a protestant church. the building is composed as a monolithic and rectangular concrete structure, and sits on a sloping site with its entrance toward a public square. a wider ground level volume contains an open space, programmed as a foyer and temporary exhibition room. a straight-run staircase accesses the upper and smaller volume, which houses the diocese’s religious artifacts. the facility joins a complex including a worship hall, old meeting house, rectory, and cemetery.

a cross-shaped opening is the only window in the building’s upper volume
photo © marc lins photography

the window-less upper shell is accented by a cross-shaped opening located high on the northeast wall. the shape symbolizes the building’s religious affiliation, while creating a dramatic effect on the interior. on the lower level, the glass curtain wall facing the square provides a flow of light at the entry, and is complemented by a linear skylight on the opposite site. the homogeneity on the exterior surfaces is continued in the interior, with exposed concrete or all white museum walls. the clarity and uniformity of materials serves to clarify the structure’s bold form.

located on a sloping site, the building is composed as two distinct concrete volumes
photo © marc lins photography

the museum joins a complex containing a church, old meeting house, rectory, and cemetery
photo © marc lins photography

the facility opens toward a public square
photo © marc lins photography

photo © marc lins photography

the glass wall at the entry illuminates the lower floor, and is complemented by a long skylight on the back side
photo © marc lins photography

the cross-shaped opening in the upper volume wall creates a bold interior lighting effect
photo © marc lins photography

the staircase is bounded on either side by tall concrete walls
photo © marc lins photography

photo © marc lins photography

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