SCOPE OF WORK AND THE PROFESSIONALS BEHIND IT
St. John's Church is facing an extensive rehabilitation that spans five years. This is not just a construction project – it is an investment in the church's future, carried out by professionals with specialized expertise in various fields. Project management and much of the work are performed by Akasia AS, but a significant portion is also put out for public tender.
The result will be a church that is both authentic and prepared for the future, with universal accessibility and environmentally friendly solutions.
Glazier Craft – Preserving the Soul of the Church
- 92 windows with 628 leaded glass and a total of 40.000 individual panes are being restored, led by a glazier from Haugesund.
- The restoration requires one year labour from nearly 8 workers and is carried out by specialists with unique expertise in leaded glass work – a craft that is almost forgotten in today's Norway.
- These stained glass windows are an important part of the church's unique expression.
Masonry Craft – In Search of the Perfect Mortar
- The masons have created three test fields to test nine different types of mortar to find the optimal mortar for the challenging Bergen climate. Internally, hemp lime, a material common in Europe but rarely used in Norway, is being tested.
- Good results on a church in Gothenburg with hemp lime give hope for finding the optimal solution for St. John's Church.
Carpentry Craft – A Solid Frame for the Future
- The entire roof of St. John's Church consists of around 13.000 slate tiles, some of which will be restored and relaid, while others will be replaced.
- The work requires approximately 25.000 roof nails, and the roof's supporting structure is renewed with 7.000 meters of battens and 4.000 meters of counter battens.
- This demanding work ensures that the church gets a durable and functional roof.
Sheet Metal Craft – All Copper Must Be Replaced
- The current copper roof from 1894 is worn out.
- All old copper will be replaced.
- A total of approximately 12.6 tons of copper will be used.
- The current copper roof is green; the new copper will probably be brown for the first few years.
Architectural Craft – Preserving the Legacy of 1894
- When the church is fully rehabilitated, it should primarily look like the 1894 church, while functioning for today's and future use.
- All changes are carefully considered together with the Directorate for Cultural Heritage and the bishop.
Structural Engineering – Ensuring Safety
- When a tower over 60 meters high is to be rehabilitated, safety must be ensured.
Challenging Scaffolding
- Scaffolding that needs to be built higher than the tower requires a lot of consideration.
- Covered scaffolding has been chosen as it helps to prevent new water damage during the rehabilitation.
- To ensure safety, the scaffolding also requires large areas around the church.
Sustainability
- The UN's Sustainable Development Goals are important guidelines for the church in Bergen.
- The entire heating system is being replaced with a geothermal heating system to reduce the climate footprint.
- Universal design will ensure that everyone can enter the church and participate in what happens there.