St. Paulus, Modern concrete church in Malstatt, Saarbrücken, Germany.
St. Paulus is a concrete church with folded rooflines arranged like shellfish patterns. The building sits in the Malstatt district and has an uncommon architectural layout that stands apart from traditional church structures.
The church was built starting in 1966 after architect Fritz Schaller received the commission directly without a design competition. This project emerged during a period when modern concrete architecture was gaining importance across Germany.
The name St. Paulus draws from the apostle Paul and shapes the parish's religious identity in the present day. The church functions as a gathering place for worshippers and serves as a vital center for spiritual life in the neighborhood.
The building sits in the Malstatt residential area and is reachable on foot, with its folded concrete form visible from all sides. The openings and entrances are clearly marked, and the surrounding space allows room for walking around and viewing the structure.
The roof shape drew inspiration from shells found in nature and demonstrates how organic forms were translated into modern concrete. This concept was unusual during the 1960s and made the church a noteworthy example of nature-inspired architecture.
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