The competition jury unanimously chose the Architecture Firm’s proposal to replace the burned-down church in Viås. It will be a welcoming chapel with room for life’s many celebrations and moods.
Out of six competing architectural firms, the Architecture Firm received the highest score by a large margin from the Växjö diocese jury. They justify their choice by stating that the site welcomes visitors, connects to the previous church’s form, and creates a distinct silhouette in the landscape. Special praise was given to the adaptation of materials and form to the surrounding environment, as well as the building’s woodwork and beautiful church interior.
“It feels great. It’s an honor to be entrusted with designing a building that will stand for a very long time and create a sense of community in an area. As an architect, it’s a rare and special task to design a church space. Moreover, it’s very positive that they’re investing in good architecture in rural areas,” says Jonas Linderholm, lead architect at the Architecture Firm.
Yesterday’s Heritage Meets Today’s Needs
After the previous church burned down in 2022, the Swedish Church and Sjösås parish want to adapt the beautiful church site to the congregation’s current needs while preserving the heritage from the past. From the large stone church with a single hall, the Architecture Firm has given the church site a collection of different spaces. At the center is the wooden chapel with its assembly hall for about 50 people.
“We chose the more intimate scale of a chapel to suit today’s churchgoers and villagers. It can be used for services but also as a meeting place for community gatherings, courses, or concerts – whatever activities the congregation desires. Our idea is also for the site to become a destination in itself,” says Jonas Linderholm.
The new chapel allows modern architecture to meet local building traditions. The shape is simple, and the details are meticulous. The building is entirely made of wood, from the frame to the roof and facade. The paneling is refined with beautiful joints using wooden dowels. The assembly room gets an atmospheric and flexible lighting design with wide views over the Småland landscape.
New Silhouette for the Community
Those who open the church gate pass under a slender bell tower standing on the site of the previous bell tower. Inside, a monastery-like courtyard awaits for weddings and baptisms under the open sky. The chapel’s weather-protected colonnade is another space where visitors can linger.
Together, the chapel and bell tower form a distinct composition visible from afar: a new silhouette in the landscape near Viås. The church altar is placed in the same location as in the previous church and is crowned by the 15th-century crucifix that was saved from the fire.
“It’s traumatic when a large building burns down. This change is a new step forward, showing faith in the future. There’s a beautiful symbolism in that,” says Jonas Linderholm.
