Architects: Christoph Hesse Architects
Area: 50 m²
Year: 2024
Photography: Laurian Ghinitoiu, Christoph Hesse Architects
Lead Architects: Christoph Hesse, Michela Quadrelli
Structural Engineer: Ing. Martin Gernandt
Collaboration: Local Community / Groß & Wilke
Client: Bergkapelle Hillershausen e.V.
City: Korbach
Country: Germany
The Open Chapel by Christoph Hesse Architects, located in Hillerhausen, Germany, is a community-driven architectural project completed in 2024. Featuring twelve sandstone pillars and a plant-adorned roof, the chapel offers a meditative space blending nature with introspection and communal interaction. The design symbolizes openness and inclusivity while fostering a deep connection with its surrounding landscape.
The chapel reflects the concept of “Open Mind Places” from the nearby village of Referinghausen in the Sauerland region. Emphasizing openness and inclusivity, the chapel provides a transformative environment for introspection and connection.
The design emerged through a grassroots process, involving contributions from local residents. Each participant brought unique skills and perspectives, ensuring the chapel encapsulates the community’s collective aspirations. This approach highlights the importance of shared experiences and communal creativity in shaping the project.
Situated atop a hill, the structure is defined by twelve sandstone pillars, each six meters tall, forming an open, hand-like interior. These pillars frame panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the relationship between the sacred space and its natural context.
The chapel invites reflection in multiple ways: individually, with others, or in harmony with nature. Its openness fosters both quiet meditation and a sense of empowerment within the community.
Communicative seating arrangements encourage interaction, making the space a hub for dialogue and shared understanding.
A roof adorned with hanging plants blurs the lines between built form and nature, while the wood chip flooring seamlessly merges the interior with the outdoors. These elements emphasize the project’s philosophy of integration, celebrating the connections between individuals, their environment, and the broader community.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Hillershausen, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Germany
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
