förstberg ling designs a lighthouse-modeled church for a competition entry in finland

förstberg ling’s latest project comes in the form of a competition entry, which is to design a church in ylivieska, finland. the design team’s proposal would replace the former, burnt down, temple. the design consists of three main parts — the steeple, the basilica and the parish hall.

swedish based office förstberg ling focuses on the steeple as the classic symbol of a christian church, a high tower to be seen from a distance. this part of the proposal also contains the old bells as well as an entrance door made out of wood recycled from the former, burnt down, temple. the domed foyer within acts as a welcoming space — a hub in between the different parts of the building.

the basilica is reached through the main stair leading down from the foyer. the lower aisles surrounding the main hall allows for access to the sacristy and smaller chapel without disturbing the peace of the narrow and high central nave. by placing the main floor below ground, a smaller footprint in the park is made possible, with the new church harmonizing in scale with the old one.

the parish hall is the home of the congregation. a flexible space with an adjacent kitchen and a direct connection to an outside courtyard. one end of the large room opens up toward a balcony overlooking the basilica for occasions with a larger audience.