Placed on a green field at the Freiburg airfield, the cantilevering altar was built without a single drop of glue and without any kind of welding. Instead, only bolted, rotating, and clamp joints were used, which allowed for quick assembly and even faster disassembly. Almost all of the materials can be re-assembled elsewhere.
The steel support is covered in laminar wood, while the rear wall and roof were covered in PVC Polyester fabric panels. In order to support the cantilever, which rises 15 meters above the ground, Werner Sobek employed techniques commonly used to build temporary bridges. Even the furniture used to seat participants was saved from a 2006 Papal visit – reflecting a genuine commitment to reducing waste. Dare we say holy cow? This is awesome.
+ Werner Sobek
Via Dezeen
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Werner Sobek was commissioned to create a spectacular but temporary altar for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Germany last year. The design specifications called for a building that would protect the Papal entourage from inclement weather during an open air mass held on 25 September, hence the extraordinary 20 meter cantilever. Werner Sobek also wanted to ensure that the altar could be dismantled quickly, and he designed it so that most of the materials could be recycled.
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This beautiful altar rises 15 meters from the ground.
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The 20 meter cantilever was designed to shelter the Pope and his entourage from inclement weather.
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A temporary structure, the altar was used for an open air mass.
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Werner Sobek insisted on using materials that could be recycled or reused.
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No glue or welding was required.
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This is the 2nd time that Werner Sobek has been commissioned to provide a temporary altar for the Papal visits to Germany.
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