As part of the comprehensive renovation of St. Joseph’s Church in Hanover-List in 2023, the rose windows were also redesigned. The artistic concept combines traditional glass art with a modern design vision. The aim was to balance out the previously asymmetrical lighting effect within the church and create a harmonious atmosphere. While the south window was outshone by intense daylight, the north side remained comparatively dark. Thanks to targeted color compositions, opal glass and a well thought-out design, the church window on the north side now also shines as if the sun itself were shining through it.
Symbolism in glass – the life of Jesus Christ as a visual narrative
The design is based on a two-layered concept that focuses on the life of Jesus Christ and the resonance of the divine word:
- The picture plane shows the central stations of Christ: birth and crucifixion in the south rosette, resurrection and ascension in the north rosette. The choice of colors reinforces this symbolism – warm red tones for the sacrifice, cool blue and gold tones for the heavenly sphere.
- The sound level makes the invisible resonance of the Word of God visually tangible. Inspired by a sound experiment in which water was made to vibrate with heartbeat frequencies, these patterns were transferred to glass. They run through both windows as wave-like structures and symbolize the connection between heaven and earth.
A shining example for the community and the district
Since their inauguration in September 2024, the new church windows have had a lasting impact on the atmosphere. The balanced lighting creates an inviting, inspiring mood that makes the sacred space shine in new splendor. The stained glass windows are particularly effective in the evening, when the interior of the church shines outwards and acts as a radiant symbol of hope for the city.
Process
From sketches to the production of church windows
Art and architecture in harmony
This project shows how artistic design and architectural structure can form a lively unit. The combination of light, color and material creates a unique interplay that not only visually enriches the sacred space, but also creates a special atmosphere. The windows thus become an integral part of the church – they tell stories, create moods and invite contemplative contemplation.
Designing the church windows with light and depth
The technical implementation of the project involves a combination of different glass processing techniques:
- Relief fusion: structural level with milled sound patterns that refract the light and create a prismatic effect.
- Float glass painting: Applied with ceramic paints to create depth and color brilliance.
- Lamination with genuine antique glass: opal glass conceals the existing frame and gives the windows a floating elegance.
This innovative combination of traditional stained glass, modern fused glass process and light control makes the rose windows a unique work of art that enriches the architecture of the church and gives it a new visual identity.
