PROJECT DETAILS

Jo Filke: St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1972C–1974

  • Hamburg, Germany, Show on map
  • #REL #Western Europe
  • The church is built from concrete and yellow brick. Circulation, floorlayout and elevations are affected by its spiral form. The dynamically uprising expression is underlined by the tower's likewise ascending joints which are, at the same time, the reason for the building's nickname "loo roll".  The interior is dominated by the sloping roof and the fan-shaped wooden beams. Special thanks to Jo Landwehr.

  • Heritage protected since 2013. Was in use as church until 2014. After plans for demolition were averted, the building was rescued with a new use. After its deconsecration in 2015, the building was restored and converted by LH Architekten. The characteristic exposed-concrete spiral and other defining elements of the original architecture were preserved, while the interior was adapted to accommodate offices, seminar rooms, childcare facilities and a small chapel. In November 2022, the former church reopened as part of the Malteser Campus St. Maximilian Kolbe and is now used as an intergenerational and intercultural community and event center (last updated on September 16, 2026).