Espen Surnevik Våler Church Norway

The project by architect Espen Surnevik won the international award for the design of the new church of Våler (Norway): it gave back to the citizens not only a place of worship, but also an urban space suitable for hosting significant events in the community.
Våler is a small village beside the river Glomma; in 2009, its church, dating back to the 19th century, was destroyed by a fire. Along with the church, an important element of village life was also lost: the parvis, where citizens would meet and community events were held.
The church is composed of a smaller building, with a square plan, surrounded by protruding elements, found along the four cardinal points, so as to portray the cross plan of the old church.
The plan and the volumes are the architect's answer to the context in which the building is set. The church is made of pinewood, clearly referencing the natural landscape of the surrounding forests. The façade, in natural wood, was constructed according to local tradition; the colour of the wood will become darker over time. Hence, every fifty years, it will need to be replaced, and the church will, so to say, be resurrected; from the cinders to the rebirth, all aspects of the project seem to echo a liturgical narrative.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Design: Espen Surnevik
Location: Våler, Norway

Images courtesy of Archmarathon awards, photos by Rasmus Norlander

www.espensurnevik.no
www.archmarathon.com

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GALLERY