The Domcenter / perter haimerl . architekturSave this picture!© Edward Beierle, Gregor Graf•Linz, Austria Architects: peter haimerl.architektur Area Area of this architecture project Area:  196 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Photographs Photographs:Edward Beierle, Gregor Graf Lead Architect: Peter Haimerl More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. The neo-Gothic cathedral in Linz is one of the largest church buildings in Austria and was constructed between 1865 and 1924. In 2024, the diocese celebrated the cathedral's hundredth anniversary. However, Catholic communities face challenges: membership numbers are declining, and the church's societal relevance is decreasing. While many congregations respond with budget cuts or the sale of sacred spaces, the Archdiocese of Linz embraces innovation and openness.Save this picture!Save this picture!A key element of this strategy is the new Domcenter on the east side of the cathedral. It complements the existing church building with a modern, welcoming entrance area reminiscent of cultural institutions such as museums or concert halls. Visitors are greeted by a bright café and a bookshop. From there, they pass through the former sacristy of the east chapel to reach the liturgically appropriate entrance of the "Wegekirche" in the north.Save this picture!The Domcenter serves as the starting point for cathedral tours and offers multimedia experiences, as well as an exhibition of the cathedral treasury in the east chapel. A two-story, walkable exhibition space presents sacred, liturgical, and cultural content in both analog and digital formats. An interactive display case and an internal lift provide new perspectives on historical artworks. The design of the display cases follows the "Einstein tile" principle, a shape that can be seamlessly arranged without rigid repetition – a motif that appears throughout the Domcenter.Save this picture!Save this picture!Architecturally, the Domcenter draws inspiration from the tradition of light tent roofs and historical market stalls. The structure consists of three canopies that appear to be suspended from the cathedral facade. Their shape resembles inverted vault constructions, giving them a particularly lightweight appearance. A sophisticated concrete construction was chosen for its efficient material use and reduced CO2 consumption. Over the building's lifespan, nearly all the CO2 emitted during production will be reabsorbed.Save this picture!For heritage preservation reasons, the annex is not structurally connected to the cathedral. The canopies stand on single supports and extend toward the cathedral facade without touching it. The load-bearing double-shell structure creates a pleasant interior atmosphere, while the outer shell reflects the pointed vaults of the historic cathedral.Save this picture!The interior of the Domcenter is structured by a straight counter that connects various functional areas. In addition to the café and bookshop, the Domcenter also serves as a meeting place for both church-related and secular events. Beneath the building, technical rooms, storage spaces, restrooms, and lockers are accessible via stairs and an elevator. The barrier-free lift connects all three levels – church level, plaza level, and basement – enabling seamless integration of indoor and outdoor activities.Save this picture!Save this picture!With the Domcenter, the Linz Cathedral gains a modern addition that enriches the sacred space with secular services. At the same time, a previously underutilized area is revitalized, creating a new attraction for visitors.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this office Published on April 10, 2025Cite: "The Domcenter / perter haimerl . architektur" 10 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028432/the-domcenter-perter-haimerl-architektur&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream