Art Commission: Chapel Design for the Butenschoen House in Landau

EN
The design of the chapel interior at the Butenschoen House in Landau is grounded in the idea of a community that welcomes everyone. An embracing wall, perforated with peepholes filled with dichroic glass in the shape of the constellation of the fish, creates a porous boundary — connecting inside and outside.

The biblical story of the Transfiguration inspired the approach to light: “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” This vision informed a design centered on translucency, brightness, and openness.

Warmth and vitality enter the space through sequoia wood — sourced from the tree that had to make room for the renovation — and through the shifting reflections of the dichroic glass.

DE
Das Gestaltungskonzept des Innenraums der Kapelle im Butenschoen-Haus in Landau gründet auf der Idee einer Gemeinschaft, die alle Menschen willkommen heißt. Eine umschließende Wand mit dem Sternbild des Fisches — gestaltet als Gucklöcher mit dichroitischem Glas — öffnet den Raum nach außen und verbindet Innen und Außen.

Das biblische Motiv der Verklärung Christi prägte das Lichtkonzept: Der Vers „Und er ward verklärt vor ihnen, und sein Angesicht leuchtete wie die Sonne, und seine Kleider wurden weiß wie ein Licht“ inspirierte eine Gestaltung, die Transparenz, Helligkeit und Offenheit in den Mittelpunkt rückt.

Wärme und Lebendigkeit entstehen durch Elemente aus Mammutbaumholz — aus dem Sequoia, der dem Umbau des Hauses weichen musste — sowie durch die wechselnden Farbspiele des dichroitischen Glases.



Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . Cross and Altar area: glass rods, polished wall paint, sequoia wood . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), Lasa marble (baptismal font), chrome-plated lettering, etched dichroic glass and antique glass (windows) . Design by Lena Trost and Michèle Janata (windows) . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), chrome-plated lettering . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . glass rods, polished wall paint (cross), sequoia wood (altar), dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), Lasa marble (baptismal font), chrome-plated lettering, etched dichroic glass and antique glass (windows) . Design by Lena Trost and Michèle Janata (windows) . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . Cross and Altar area: glass rods, polished wall paint, sequoia wood . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), Lasa marble (baptismal font), chrome-plated lettering, etched dichroic glass and antique glass (windows) . Design by Lena Trost and Michèle Janata (windows) . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), chrome-plated lettering . Design by Lena Trost . Photo: Helge Articus©

Chapel of the Butenschoen House Landau (Palatinate) . 2017/18 . glass rods, polished wall paint (cross), sequoia wood (altar), dichroic glass, nickel-plated and polished brass tubes (constellation holes), Lasa marble (baptismal font), chrome-plated lettering, etched dichroic glass and antique glass (windows) . Design by Lena Trost and Michèle Janata (windows) . Photo: Helge Articus©