![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 1 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cc7/2cf6/284d/d1f0/4600/00bf/newsletter/SP2018-DePetrus-1-HiRes.jpg?1556557040)
In the wake of the fires at Paris’ Notre Dame and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, in the past years, we have seen many architects propose new ways of rebuilding these sacred spaces, opening them up to new possibilities.
In Europe and in North America, the maintenance costs and the disuse of sacred spaces have led to the eventual abandonment of churches, shrines and monasteries with great architectural and historical value. This opened a new opportunity for investors and architects to rescue and re-contextualize the historical heritage of these buildings. Below we present 15 examples of adaptive reuse in ancient churches--transformed into hotels, homes, museums, libraries and other cultural spaces.
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Santa María de Vilanova de la Barca / AleaOlea architecture & landscape
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 6 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/82be/284d/d17f/4b00/0038/medium_jpg/PORTADA_AO_-_VdB__(23).jpg?1556054714)
The Chapel on the Hill / Evolution Design
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 2 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/82b4/284d/d17f/4b00/0037/newsletter/Chapel_on_the_Hill_001.jpg?1556054702)
Church Conversion into a Residence / Linc Thelen Design + Scrafano Architects
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 8 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/82aa/284d/d1e1/7200/002c/medium_jpg/portada__DSC8052.jpg?1556054693)
Convent Carmen / Francesc Rifé Studio
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 3 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/82a3/284d/d17f/4b00/0036/newsletter/francescrife_conventcarmen_2.jpg?1556054686)
Damião de Góis Museum and the Victims of the Inquisition / spaceworkers
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 7 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/829b/284d/d1e1/7200/002b/newsletter/123.jpg?1556054678)
Library, Museum and Community Center ‘De Petrus’ / Molenaar&Bol&vanDillen Architects
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 11 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/85e5/284d/d17f/4b00/0040/medium_jpg/SP2018-DePetrus-3-HiRes.jpg?1556055521)
Convent de Sant Francesc / David Closes
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 12 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/85db/284d/d1e1/7200/0030/newsletter/St_Francesc-pan_4_11_r2.jpg?1556055510)
Contemporary Art Space in the Former Convent of Madre de Dios / Sol89
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 9 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/85d1/284d/d17f/4b00/003f/newsletter/04.jpg?1556055499)
‘De poort van Borne’ Healthcare Center / Reitsema & partners architecten
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 10 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/85bb/284d/d17f/4b00/003e/newsletter/2_Gezondheidsplein_1V.jpg?1556055478)
Ptuj Performance Center / ENOTA
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 13 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/85c7/284d/d1e1/7200/002f/medium_jpg/enota_ptuj_performance_center_12_staircase___archaeology.jpg?1556055488)
God's Loftstory / Leijh Kappelhoff Seckel van den Dobbelsteen architecten
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House In A Church / Ruud Visser Architects
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The Waterdog / Klaarchitectuur
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 5 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/88eb/284d/d1e1/7200/0035/medium_jpg/02_De_Waterhond_Flos_Beeldpunt.jpg?1556056293)
Le St-Jude / Thomas Balaban Architect
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 4 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/88da/284d/d1e1/7200/0034/newsletter/TBA_St-Jude_TBA_06.jpg?1556056275)
La Rectoria Chidren’s Summer Camp / OAB
![Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches - Image 16 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5cbf/88e2/284d/d17f/4b00/004a/medium_jpg/03.jpg?1556056285)
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 07, 2019.