New church benches for the church in Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, with its Neoclassical façade and decorated interior, was built in 1816. After unplanned modifications and minor repairs, such as flooring and painting in the 1970s and 1980s, the interior has become somewhat incoherent.
In the first phase of the interior restoration, there arose a need to replace the inadequate original church benches, which were made for believers of a significantly smaller stature. The benches had backs perpendicular to the seating surface, and the shallow space between the rows did not allow taller individuals or those with reduced mobility to sit comfortably. Moreover, the backs ended with a protruding strip that pressed against the shoulder blades when leaning back. Wooden seats were temporarily covered with an unsuitable textile layer in terms of color and material for better thermal comfort during cooler months. The sturdy kneelers and recessed flooring made thorough cleaning impossible.
The goal was to design ergonomic benches—both for sitting and kneeling—so that the faithful could devote themselves to the liturgy and prayers without distraction. The backs are at a comfortable angle, the seats are padded, the space between the rows is sufficiently spacious, the kneelers are foldable and positioned so that one can lean against the bench while kneeling. Shelves and hooks for personal belongings were added under the pulpit for placing hymnals. There are also smaller pull-out benches for children under the front benches. The new flooring is adapted for electrical wiring leading to future heating under the benches. It was necessary to consider the somewhat unfortunate choice of flooring from the second half of the last century, and therefore the stain color for the oak benches was based on this condition. The pattern of negative trellis on the fronts of the benches is inspired by the railing of the choir and the panels of the original organ case.
The railing of the expanded choir, which did not fit into the church interior due to its material and finish, was given a matte coat of grey paint matching the color of the organ. The columns supporting the choir were also painted grey with their capitals in gold, thereby repeating an element from the organ and somewhat unifying the space.
In the second phase of the renovation, the interior of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene will undergo repairs to the damp outer walls (caused by an inappropriate type of heating), relocation and reconstruction of two altars, the creation of an emergency exit, and subsequently new painting and lighting.
In the first phase of the interior restoration, there arose a need to replace the inadequate original church benches, which were made for believers of a significantly smaller stature. The benches had backs perpendicular to the seating surface, and the shallow space between the rows did not allow taller individuals or those with reduced mobility to sit comfortably. Moreover, the backs ended with a protruding strip that pressed against the shoulder blades when leaning back. Wooden seats were temporarily covered with an unsuitable textile layer in terms of color and material for better thermal comfort during cooler months. The sturdy kneelers and recessed flooring made thorough cleaning impossible.
The goal was to design ergonomic benches—both for sitting and kneeling—so that the faithful could devote themselves to the liturgy and prayers without distraction. The backs are at a comfortable angle, the seats are padded, the space between the rows is sufficiently spacious, the kneelers are foldable and positioned so that one can lean against the bench while kneeling. Shelves and hooks for personal belongings were added under the pulpit for placing hymnals. There are also smaller pull-out benches for children under the front benches. The new flooring is adapted for electrical wiring leading to future heating under the benches. It was necessary to consider the somewhat unfortunate choice of flooring from the second half of the last century, and therefore the stain color for the oak benches was based on this condition. The pattern of negative trellis on the fronts of the benches is inspired by the railing of the choir and the panels of the original organ case.
The railing of the expanded choir, which did not fit into the church interior due to its material and finish, was given a matte coat of grey paint matching the color of the organ. The columns supporting the choir were also painted grey with their capitals in gold, thereby repeating an element from the organ and somewhat unifying the space.
In the second phase of the renovation, the interior of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene will undergo repairs to the damp outer walls (caused by an inappropriate type of heating), relocation and reconstruction of two altars, the creation of an emergency exit, and subsequently new painting and lighting.
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