Church House in Uppsala

The vision “Earthly, with a heavenly touch” set the tone. Heavy, grounded materials like stone and wood meet the light and sensuous through colors, play of light, and details. The result is an environment where the everyday and the spiritual coexist in harmony.

“Our ambition was to create an environment that feels equally like a workplace and a place for contemplation and community. The balance between the earthly and the heavenly guided us throughout the project,” explains Kristina Jonasson, lead interior architect and head of interior design at Tengbom Stockholm.

A workplace with variety

The 5,500 square meters accommodate open areas, meeting rooms, small conversation rooms, and social spaces. Each space has its own atmosphere — from darker, embracing rooms for focus to meeting rooms in muted but rich colors. The ceilings share the same hue as the walls, while the light fixtures provide contrast and spatial depth. The open work areas are kept in calm, neutral tones for focus and balance.

Reuse and continuity

The material palette is both practical and poetic, with reuse as a natural foundation. A large portion of the furniture has been given new life, strengthening both sustainability and the sense of continuity. To achieve a harmonious whole among the various reused tables, we developed a special tabletop tray for technical equipment — a simple, unified expression inspired by the form language of the hymn board.

“Working with reuse was a given. It’s not just about environmental sustainability, but also about giving the building a story and a sense of belonging. The furniture carries traces of previous use and takes on new meaning in this context,”

says Kristina.

The heavenly was our guiding star

Encouraging small talk

At the center of the building lies the glazed cloister garden – a threshold between indoors and outdoors. The greenery and daylight create an important heart for the building, perfect for meetings, pauses, and conversation. We also designed the lounges and coffee stations to encourage moments of connection and informal exchange, using warm materials and attention to detail.

The Church of Sweden’s values, embodied

Church House is now a modern workplace, yet one where the Church of Sweden’s core values are made tangible. It’s a building that mirrors both the foundation of the organization and its forward-looking spirit. Presence. Openness. Hope.