Holiday home Johannes Neun

Abstract shapes in shades of blue, white and red adorn the asymmetrical stained-glass windows, whose play of light is reflected on the walls, floors and furniture and lends the interior of the holiday home a truly special atmosphere. Depending on the time of day and season, the formations, colours and intensities change constantly. Inspired by a scene from the Gospel of John, they depict the course of the water through the Sauerland mountains and still tell of the building’s original function today. Built in the early 1960s by Friedrich Wilhelm Kölsche, the Protestant St John’s Church in Meschede in the Sauerland region was not only an important place of retreat and community for the region’s growing population, but also a modern urban accent with its striking tower and trapezoidal floor plan.

When the church was deconsecrated in 2018 and was up for sale, architect Sandra Glados and civil engineer Reimund Köster decided to take on the challenge and transform the special listed building into a holiday home with just a few interventions. In order to transform the building without destroying its formal language and simplicity, a self-sufficient wooden cube was added to the church interior, which, like a “house within a house”, accommodates two bedrooms and two bunks and forms an additional projection surface for the play of light through the windows, providing space for up to 6 people. The other living areas are openly integrated into the room – from the black kitchen, which blends in with the dark tiles, to the long dining table on a low wooden platform in a trapezoidal shape and the living room with fireplace. Despite the open-plan design, there are plenty of opportunities to get together and be alone. The furniture also takes a back seat and leaves the stage to the light, which takes on a different effect on each of the largely natural surfaces.

An above-ground retreat: a large steel spiral staircase leads up to the former organ loft, which can be used as a panoramic workplace or a quiet lounge for reading or listening to music. Where the sacristy used to be hidden, there is now a bathroom with a shower and a guest WC, while the adjoining outdoor area with a large wooden terrace leads out into the countryside. An unconventional place full of peace of mind and small or big moments of enlightenment.

What to do

Hiking, cycling and mountain biking, walking along or swimming in the Hennesee or in the large outdoor pool, relaxing in the hotel's own garden or in a beautiful spot in the church, watching grey and Canada geese at the Josefsteich, strolling through the town with ice cream, going to the cinema or out for dinner in the evening

Why we like this house


Once an unconventional church, today an unorthodox holiday home that builds on the spirit of its architecture and light.

This house is great for


Couples, families and friends looking for peace and quiet and time in nature, but also for workation, workshops and creative activities; pets are not allowed, therapy dogs by arrangement

Sustainability


Untreated building materials wherever possible, air heat pump in conjunction with photovoltaic system, the nearest e-charging stations are approx. 3 minutes away, public transport: by train to Meschede station, then either continue by bus or approx. 25 minutes on foot

Owner


"Let's just have a look", thought Sandra Glados and Reimund Köster when St John's Church came up for sale. In the meantime, the architect and civil engineer have finalised the transformation of their Johannes Neun holiday home themselves. Full of attention for the special monument, in harmony with nature and technology and supplemented by many small, individual details that the two have brought back from their numerous trips. The result: a truly heavenly loft that invites you to relax and slow down, leaving the fast-paced, noisy world outside the door.

Details

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The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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