Transforming Sacred Spaces: 17 Adaptive Reuse Projects Revitalizing Churches

Written by Fernanda Castro
Published on December 30, 2024

The architectural practice of reusing and refurbishing should be the first consideration when designing and reshaping our already overbuilt cities. Good architecture prioritizes this approach over demolition, as it can reduce costs, enhance environmental efficiency, and preserve functional structures that can continue serving their purpose for years.

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In the wake of the fires at Paris' Notre Dame and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, recent years have seen architects proposing innovative approaches to rebuilding these sacred spaces, exploring new possibilities for their futures. In Europe and North America, the high costs of maintenance and declining use of sacred spaces have led to the abandonment of churches, shrines, and monasteries of significant architectural and historical value. This has created opportunities for investors and architects to rescue and recontextualize the historical heritage of these buildings.

Transforming Sacred Spaces: 17 Adaptive Reuse Projects Revitalizing Churches - Image 9 of 26 — Library, Museum and Community Center ‘De Petrus’ / Molenaar&Bol&vanDillen Architects. Image © Stijn Poelstra

New uses for these spaces can range from private residences to apartment buildings and cultural centers—each of which redefines and prolongs the building's lifespan. Good design and creativity are key when repurposing old churches, resulting in a compelling blend of the sacred space's remnants and the new function the building serves.

Repurposing Existing Buildings into Residential Projects by Innovating with Materials

Below, find a selection of churches and monasteries that have been renewed to serve modern needs while preserving their architectural and historical significance.