The forecourt of St. Magdalena Catholic Parish in Lütgendortmund now presents itself as an open, welcoming, and multifunctional space. This transformation came about through the construction of a new rectory with integrated administrative offices—a design that creates a harmonious ensemble with the church. But it wasn't always this way. When Deen Architects from Münster submitted their competition entry for the new rectory, they encountered a fragmented layout: existing buildings lined the elongated site along the street. The rectory, positioned centrally with its private garden, functionally separated the church from the parish hall, which was accessible only via public roads. A tall wall further isolated the grounds.

The two-storey building is oriented toward the street along its length, defining the new church forecourt. This orientation creates a new pedestrian connection linking the church and parish hall via the new vicarage. The former boundary wall has been removed, and the plaza is now framed by lawn and trees. The slightly set-back entrance to the parish office on the ground floor faces the church. A vestibule guides visitors into the open-plan front office, which flows into a back office zone. Additional office spaces occupy the south side with views onto the plaza, while the archive and other functions are situated to the north. Generous glazing on the ground floor gives the building a welcoming character. Vertical wooden louvers provide an architectural transition, defining the boundary between work areas and the semi-public exterior space.

Two residential units, including the vicar's residence, occupy the upper floor. They are accessed through the central stairwell, which also serves the vicar's office on the ground floor. The red facing brick—a highly durable, aging-resistant material already used for the church—establishes visual continuity between the two buildings. The church's facade articulation is subtly echoed in the window framing of the new structure. Window frames and entrance doors are realized as solid wood elements, creating subtle emphasis in the facade while lending the building a contemporary character. The building envelope is heavily insulated, the roof is green, and windows feature triple glazing. Energy is supplied sustainably through a combined heat and power plant. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is integrated into the basement garage.

www.deen-architekten.de

Photography:
Peter Engländer

(Featured in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|24)