Kyrktorget: A Threshold In Between the Sacred and Secular

This thesis aims to create a new threshold between the church of Smyrnakyrkan in Gothenburg and the adjoining city square, as well as improved social spaces that can address the needs of the church community.

By discussing and reflecting upon the importance of the threshold from a theoretical point of departure, the proposal explores the space between inside and outside; private and public; sacred and secular through interiority and exteriority – making a place that stands out in the cityscape of Gothenburg and creates a space for inner reflection on life itself. The project becomes a spatial intervention that brings people together and support the social commitments of the church – serving the people and giving back to the community. 

The project addresses a sustainable approach, by bringing nature in and proposing local produced material of lasting granite stone. With a design strategy inspired by the archipelago of Gothenburg.