On 7 November, a notable conversion was opened in Innsbruck's Petrus Canisius parish church: parts of the listed church interior now serve as a bouldering hall. The unusual sports venue was blessed by Bishop Hermann Glettler in the presence of numerous guests and members of the regional climbing scene. Integrated planning for the project was led by ATP architekten ingenieure, who opened the sacred building to new target groups without compromising the architectural character of the church.
The church was built in the 1960s to designs by architect Horst Parson and has shaped the cityscape ever since. Facing declining attendance numbers, the parish decided to introduce a supplementary public function. As architect Florian Anschober of ATP architekten ingenieure explained, the strong response from the climbing community over the opening weekend highlights the significant potential of revitalising existing building stock to bring people together and sustainably enliven the neighbourhood.
Minimally invasive heritage conservation in a sacred building
The architectural implementation adheres to the principles of minimally invasive construction in order to fully preserve the building's cubature, materiality, and spatial impact. The free-standing climbing walls and delicate spectator tiers emerged from an ideas competition and were conceived by the practice columbosnext. All interventions were carried out in close consultation with the Federal Monuments Authority (Bundesdenkmalamt). In this context, Guntram Mattle from Steinblock highlighted the high level of commitment, short coordination channels, and solution-focused approach of all planners involved.
Despite the sporting use, the ecclesiastical function remains fully preserved. Services continue to be held regularly around the consecrated altar. Similarly, the chapel, parish hall, and lower church remain unchanged, allowing secular and liturgical uses to co-exist in future.
Southern extension for hospitality and building services
The ensemble is complemented by a southern extension that defers discreetly to the church building in scale and eaves height. Its construction relies on a reversible plug-in system so that the historic structure can be relieved without residue if required. All building services for both the sports facility and the hospitality area were accommodated in the extension's raised parapet, keeping the church interior free from visible technical installations.
- —Integrated hospitality area with bar, dining area, terrace, and adjoining shop
- —Generous, openable glass facades with a direct connection to the Inn promenade
- —Official opening of the NEXT STOP ROME hospitality venue on 21 November
Opening out onto the river promenade creates a new social meeting place on the Inn, combining the preservation of architectural heritage with contemporary requirements for urban leisure spaces.
