Hybrid Public Spaces
While churches once formed the center of village and town life, steadily declining membership numbers now mean that they are increasingly left empty or even forced to close. How can church buildings be brought back to life?
In Thuringia, since 2016, under the patronage of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and the International Building Exhibition IBA Thuringia, committed citizens have joined forces to revitalize their churches as places of community through collaborative projects. The second volume of the StadtLand:Kirche series presents these ambitious projects, recounting their progress, successes, and challenges. Whether it’s the Her(r)bergskirche on the Rennsteig or the Bienen-Garten-Kirche in Roldisleben: The projects presented demonstrate how practical, secular uses can complement the church’s original purpose. In the heart of the village, a new type of church is emerging as a hybrid space.
