This report presents a thesis project at the School of Engineering, Jönköping University, where the task has been to develop a proposal for a parish community centre for the Swedish church’s parish community in Bankeryd. Background 1 st of November in 2004 the parish in Bankeryd appointed a special commission of inquiry called Framtidsgruppen (Future Group), to analyse the parish community’s different activities during the past 5 years and analyse the future activities and needs for the upcoming 5-10 years. This analysis would underlie the needs of building a new centre for the parish community. Implementation, results and conclusion The main focal points which this report is concentrated on has been to develop a building that is well suited for the activities, well adjusted for disabled persons and the building shall be appealing in an architectural point of view. Based on the information provided from the parish community, studies of literature, reference objects and discussions with the contact person at the parish community and the instructor of this project, the programming has been developed. The building’s programming has been the source for the continued work with floor plans and the building design.

<p>This report presents a thesis project at the School of Engineering, Jönköping</p><p>University, where the task has been to develop a proposal for a parish community</p><p>centre for the Swedish church’s parish community in Bankeryd.</p><p>Background</p><p>1 st of November in 2004 the parish in Bankeryd appointed a special commission</p><p>of inquiry called Framtidsgruppen (Future Group), to analyse the parish</p><p>community’s different activities during the past 5 years and analyse the future</p><p>activities and needs for the upcoming 5-10 years. This analysis would underlie the</p><p>needs of building a new centre for the parish community.</p><p>Implementation, results and conclusion</p><p>The main focal points which this report is concentrated on has been to develop a</p><p>building that is well suited for the activities, well adjusted for disabled persons and</p><p>the building shall be appealing in an architectural point of view.</p><p>Based on the information provided from the parish community, studies of</p><p>literature, reference objects and discussions with the contact person at the parish</p><p>community and the instructor of this project, the programming has been</p><p>developed. The building’s programming has been the source for the continued</p><p>work with floor plans and the building design.</p>

Projektets mål är att aktivisera området kring Høvik kirke i Norge. Utgångspunkten är att förbättra och vidareutveckla existerande kvaliteter på kyrkotomten, samt att utgå ifrån dessa i skapandet av nya element. Projektet syftar till att omskapa kyrkohöjden till en trevlig plats att vara på, för kyrkans besökare såväl som för andra. Viktiga fokusområden är kyrkohöjdens roll som lokalt kulturcentrum, kyrkobyggnaden som lokal identitetsmarkör och landmärke, och historiska sammanhang i närområdet. Projektet har tre huvudkomponenter: park, församlingshem, och en ny tillbyggnad. Kyrkohöjden är i dag något av en icke-plats. Den nya parken blir övergångszon mellan kyrkan, församlingshemmet och omgivningarna i övrig. Som ett av mycket få publika gröntstråk blir den en naturlig plats att vistas på för ortens invånare. Nya gångvägar vill också bringa många förbi den vackra kyrkobyggnaden. Omformningen av församlingshemmet tar hänsyn till församlingens behov och önskningar. Bottenvåningen fylls av publika funktioner som bibliotek och café, och fasaden får en mer tillgänglig och inviterande karaktär. Tillbyggnaden er projektets syntes, och bidrar till att knyta ihop parken och den existerande byggnaden. Platsens roll som kulturcentrum förstärks också genom att tillbyggnaden genom sin funktion möjliggör ökade kulturella aktiviteter. / The project focuses on developing the site around Høvik church, near Oslo in Norway, into a hub of local culture. The main strategy has been to improve and develop the existing qualities and connections of the site, and to use these as points of departure for the creation of new elements. The project has three main components. Firstly, the development of a park on the hill, creating a public green space to be enjoyed both by church goers and others. Secondly, renovating and improving the existing parish building (built 1971), based on the needs and wishes of the congregation. Finally, a small addition, which connects both to the park and the existing building, taking inspiration from and adding qualities to both. Themes addressed in the research and development are the church as a landmark and focal point for local identity, the connections to the history and development of the area, and the role of the church in the local society.

How can the different religions of Austria be made visible? How can the believers claim space and right in the Austrian context? How can architecture contribute to educate about these religions? How can architecture encourage this multitude of religions to be regarded as positive and a strength of the Austrian society?