Salvation Army Church Makes Room for Advertisement Agency

The NY Advertisement Agency was just beginning to outgrow its previous office as the Salvation Army in Jönköping was downsizing – a mutually beneficial coincidence. The church occupies a piece of a large block in Jönköping. It was built in the 1960s and had not changed use nor owner since.

We were commissioned to create a modern and functional workplace without compromising the spatial qualities of the building. To this end we chose to place the heart of the office space in the open volume of the former nave of the church. This gave great light and identity to the office but came with its own set of challenges such as -sound, light and privacy.

To bring natural light into the main office space and the atelier we removed the wall between the former nave and vestibule. A large wall in the mezzanine was replaced with full height glass to bring light through the outer façade into the administrative office spaces and directly over into the heart of the building.
The glassed-in office space distinguishes the administrative offices and offers the desired privacy while preserving an open cohesive work environment. Visitors can witness the work activity but do not wander in at will. In the vestibule a kitchenette and custom-built benches serve the waiting visitor. From here both the first floor office space and the administrative offices above can be accessed directly. The basement was rebuilt as a larger connecting space with a photo studio, archive and staff areas and the former baptismal font and auditorium has now become a place for assembly and lectures. To remedy the echoing acoustic behavior of the church and support a pleasant open office atmosphere we used acoustic plaster and sound absorbing materials hidden behind expanded brass mesh.