A contemporary reconstruction with deep roots

Set beside the Krumbach moor at the edge of the Nagelfluh ridge, the Salgenreute Chapel stands where a 200-year-old Lourdes chapel once did. Rather than preserve a deteriorating structure, the community of Krumbach chose to begin anew, drawing on collective knowledge and a shared desire to shape something future-oriented. More than a hundred volunteers contributed to the multi-year process of planning and building, resulting in a striking and quietly reverent structure.

Traditional forms, renewed expression

The outline of the new chapel maintains the simple form of the original—comprising a nave and apse—while its construction materials reflect the region’s vernacular. Locally sourced wood and stone define the structure, with the facade designed to weather over time: silvering on the north, blackening on the sun-exposed south, mirroring the aged farmhouses of the Bregenzerwald. This blending of continuity and transformation is central to the design’s success.

Interior shaped by light and material

Inside, the experience is shaped by the spatial geometry of steeply rising timber planes, enclosing the space with calm precision. The uniform use of wood for both walls and ceiling creates a seamless interior, where light from a single front-facing window plays a central role in defining atmosphere. The effect is contemplative, inviting quiet introspection.

Subtle symbolism and sacred presence

Breaking from convention, the statue of the Virgin Mary—preserved from the former chapel—is placed beside the apse, rather than dominating the central axis. This small gesture signals a more open interpretation of sacred space, one grounded in both tradition and renewal.

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