Iglesia en Lietzensee, Berlín

This new church, suitable for a seated congregation of 700, including those occupying the choir and baptistry, takes the place of the old one, made of timber, which was destroyed during the war. In addition to the church itself, there is a Sunday school, a sacristy, and living quarters for the sacristan. The organ, orchestra and choir are situated at a higher level, over the church hall. The churchtower has three campaniles, all at the same level. No attempt has been made to emphasize the tower as a dominant feature, as anyway it cannot compete in height with the surrounding buildings. More importance has been attached to the general architectural quality of the building, both in its internal and external expression. A design has been attempted which reflects from the outside the religious character of the interior, whilst fitting well with the charming landscape of the Lietzen lakedistrict. In the final design a number of factors were decisive. Religious, accoustical, structural and human requirements were taken into account. These led also to the choice of the roof, which is formed by a number of triangular shape, and to the fitting of large surfaces of stained glass. Through this the interior is illuminated from all sides, and a greater continuity seems to be established with the green spaces beyond. The project does reflect strongly its essential quality as «the house of God»: this is emphasized by the structural and topological arrangement of its parts, and by the spontaneous manner in which the sight is drawn towards the altar.Esta iglesia, de nueva planta, con 700 asientos—incluidos los del coro y baptisterio—, reemplaza- a la de madera que fue destruida durante la guerra. Dispone de locales para catequesis, sacristía y vivienda del sacristán. Tiene una entreplanta para el órgano, la orquesta y el coro, sobre la cual se levanta el campanario, con tres campaniles colocados uno dominante por no poder competir con las casas altas que le rodean, lado del otro, al que no se ha intentado realzar como elemento dominante por no poder competir con las casas altas que le rodean. Se concedió mayor importancia, en la concepción general arquitectónica, a la forma interior y exterior que a los rasgos urbanísticos, logrando crear un recinto cuyo aspecto externo refleja el carácter religioso del interior y que armoniza con el bello paisaje de la zona del lago Lietzen. En la determinación de dicha forma influyeron varios factores, no sólo de tipo religioso, sino también de orden acústico, estructural y ambiental, que condujeron a la cubierta actual—constituida por una serie de triángulos—y a las grandes vidrieras que cuajan profusamente las superficies exentas. A través de ellas, el interior recibe luz por todos los lados en que se desea un mayor contacto con las zonas verdes exteriores. No obstante, se ha conseguido, acertadamente, conservar el carácter de «casa de Dios», de tabernáculo, carácter que viene acusado por la concentración estructural, direccional y visual de las superficies de la cubierta, hacia el altar