Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches

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

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© Adrià Goula

The Chapel on the Hill / Evolution Design

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Courtesy of Evolution Design

Church Conversion into a Residence / Linc Thelen Design + Scrafano Architects

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© Jim Tschetter

Convent Carmen / Francesc Rifé Studio

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© David Zarzoso

Damião de Góis Museum and the Victims of the Inquisition / spaceworkers

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© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Library, Museum and Community Center ‘De Petrus’ / Molenaar&Bol&vanDillen Architects

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© Stijn Poelstra

Convent de Sant Francesc / David Closes

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© Jordi Surroca

Contemporary Art Space in the Former Convent of Madre de Dios / Sol89

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© Fernando Alda

‘De poort van Borne’ Healthcare Center / Reitsema & partners architecten

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© Ronald Tilleman

Ptuj Performance Center / ENOTA

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© Miran Kambič

God's Loftstory / Leijh Kappelhoff Seckel van den Dobbelsteen architecten

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© Vincent van den Hoven

House In A Church / Ruud Visser Architects

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© René de Wit

The Waterdog / Klaarchitectuur

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© Flos&Beeldpunt

Le St-Jude / Thomas Balaban Architect

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Courtesy of Thomas Balaban Architect

La Rectoria Chidren’s Summer Camp / OAB

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© Joan Guillamat

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 07, 2019.

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    Cite: Fernanda Castro. "Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes: 15 Adaptive Reuse Projects in Ancient Churches" 28 Jun 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/915700/rethinking-sacred-spaces-for-new-purposes> ISSN 0719-8884

    © Stijn Poelstra

    教堂改造合集,神圣空间的新用途

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