Production of church seating and tabernacle for the Catholic parish of Mariä Himmelfahrt in Stuttgart-Degerloch, in collaboration with Architects Schneider Hoffmann (Lisa Schneider, Peter Hoffmann).

Chairs (model Exsel Sakral), chair connectors and kneelers are made of solid oak. Wool felt seat pads provide additional seating comfort.

The tabernacle is made of gilded oak with a ceramic outer shell.

Project description by the architects

The new mourning centre in Stuttgart-Degerloch incorporates the listed church Mariä Himmelfahrt, consecrated in 1927. The design brings together the mourning centre, church and cemetery in a natural way. Symbolically, the church interior stands between Alpha and Omega, representing the beginning and end of life. The tapered entrance area (Alpha) marks the beginning, while the circular chancel screen (Omega) symbolises the transition to life after death and draws attention to the existing mosaic of the Virgin Mary.

At the end of the central nave, new steps extending across the full width of the space lead up to the chancel and provide a flexible area for different uses. Beneath the gallery, the low, wood-panelled entrance area creates a gentle transition into the main space, incorporating niches for brochures and chair storage. The redesigned gallery continues this architectural gesture upwards, where the metal main section of the new organ takes centre stage. The wooden relief from the entrance area continues around the organ case, while an open railing of vertical rods allows the sound to spread freely.

Text: Peter Hoffmann and Lisa Schneider