The key features in the architectural concept for the St. Johannes Maria Vianney parish in Stuttgart highlight the interplay between the diverse functions of church, residence and day-care center, and its unique location on the edge of a hill above the Neckar River.

Set in its urban context, the new ensemble consists of three L-shaped buildings that are arranged around a central square. It begins with the compact structure of the church itself, which acts as a link between the existing neighborhood and the new complex. As a symbolic gesture, the ceiling-high church doors can be fully opened. An additional pair of buildings completes the ensemble: two elongated L-shaped buildings extend toward the central courtyard and, at the same time, provide views overlooking the hills.

The design underscores the idea of the complex as a distinct entity through the use of a uniform brick pattern for the facades and the interior courtyard. The material suggests quality and stability as well as making a reference to the brick-making traditions of the region. This deliberate order is only modified as needed for the function of the respective building, giving the complex a uniform character. The only building with a fundamental difference in material is the church itself. Resembling a work of marquetry, the church is inlaid under its pitched roof and perceived as a stand-alone element thanks to the distinctive wooden façade facing the square. The spatial structures symbolize and encourage social interaction both in the sanctuary and throughout the complex.