Lutheran Church for the Toby

Ankaramalaza, Madagascar

This unique church in Ankaramalaza, Madagascar is designed to regularly accommodate 850 people with the ability to accommodate an additional 1,000 people. Three or four times a year, the Malagasy Lutheran ‘Jubilee’ revival movement attracts around 2,000 people, often traveling by canoe down crocodile-infested waters from near and far. During these revival celebrations, the permanent structure of the church expands by use of fabric sails - creating a tented forecourt. The steeple doubles as a support for the sails, while the pillars surrounding the courtyard create a sense of enclosure and demarcate a gathering place even when not used for anchoring the sails. A system of doors built into the walls of the church, when opened, allow the space of the main sanctuary to merge with the surrounding forecourt and landscape.

Client: Malagasy Lutheran Church

Type of Project: Spiritual

Project Area: 427 square m

Services provided: Concept Design, Construction Documents