Out of Service? – Swiss Sacred Architecture in Transition

Description

A tour through the exhibition «Out of Service? – Swiss Sacred Architecture in Transition» Whether baroque opulence, modern simplicity, or brutalist austerity; ringing bells, religious rituals, or reverent silence. Sacred buildings have held a central place in Swiss society for centuries. Their halls long served as the center of everyday life, religion, and community, with their towers marking the heart of rural villages and urban districts. However, increasingly, faith and church are penetrating less into the Swiss population. Many of the once lively places of worship are becoming increasingly empty, while declining tax revenues make their maintenance more difficult. Therefore, more and more congregations are seeking alternative real estate strategies. But what ritual and architectural qualities need to be preserved? What new uses could find space in these once sacred halls? And what can – and must – change to ensure that our sacred architectural heritage remains a defining and communal legacy? The exhibition, based on historical and contemporary projects from Switzerland, shows how many different paths of transformation are possible – from expanded church benches to demolition. This aims to foster a collective discourse on change and preservation of sacred buildings. Because in order to preserve their architectural and cultural value, they deserve new societal meanings – also beyond religious rituals.