This paper aims to explore the applicability of the standardization of heritage and sustainability values in the context of church transformations in the Netherlands. Through comparative research on available assessment tools, specifically focusing on church transformations, the study investigates whether these tools extend beyond their original purpose of standardization, and therefore, if this standardization of values can be used in the design process. The central question is articulated as follows: How can standardization of sustainability and heritage values be used in the design process of church transformations in the Netherlands?

The comparative literature research identifies two pertinent tools, DuMo and BPSC, both addressing standardization of sustainability and heritage values with distinct methodologies. The analysis of these tools' applicability in practice leads to the second phase of the research, aiming to determine if the core indicators of these tools can facilitate in the decision-making process of church transformation design.

While assessment tools primarily seek to standardize values, this paper explores their potential applications standardization of values can have in the design approach. Although not initially created for the purpose of design, the standardization achieved through these tools can enhance comprehension of various considerations in different stages of the design process. In conclusion, this research contributes to the existing framework on the standardization of heritage and sustainability values, specifically within the context of church transformations in the Netherlands.
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This thesis consists of a paper about spatial quality in neo gothic churches and a design project about transforming the St. Barbarachurch in Culemborg. The paper explores the effects of different spatial solutions that can be used for transforming neo gothic churches on the spatial quality to draw learning for future design assignments involving churches. This is done by analyzing 9 different neo gothic churches that are transformed and have been given a new function. To start, the attributes that define the spatial quality and characteristics of the neo Gothic were determined. Different spatial solutions were also determined whereupon the different case studies were selected. These cases were examined using analytical diagrams and photo analysis. The research resulted in an overview of all the effects of different spatial solutions on the predetermined spatial aspects. The results showed that certain spatial solutions affect the spatial quality more than others as well as that there is a big difference in which attributes are affected by each spatial solution. As part of a graduation project the knowledge gained by the research is implemented in a redesign of the St. Barbarachurch in Culemborg. A church going vacant and therefore is being transformed into a hotel/ eventspace and restaurant while still preserving this spatial quality of the interior. ... Read more

This project explores the utilisation of the collective memory of vacant churches and the architectural elements within them as incentives for their transformation and reuse. The number of decommissioned churches in the Netherlands is increasing with rapid secularisation, and many churches remain empty. The purpose of this paper is to find a method to connect the collective memory within elements in a church and utilise them for the church’s redesign. This study will focus on one such church for theoretical application of the methodology, the Saint Augustinus church in Amsterdam Noord, which has been empty since 2014. Finding a way to reconnect the church to its neighbourhood using the collective memory of the neighbourhood around this church, could be a way to socially sustain the church and prevent it from going into disuse. The individual memory of the churchgoers is rather subjective, but as churches have been a part of the landscape of the cities of the Netherlands for long periods, they also have shared memories. The way to investigate the collective memory of the church is to collect individual stories and find common strings among them. A phenomenological study of these architectural elements provides the way they are experienced and how this can be enhanced for the community to feel connected to them again. This paper thus answers the question of how the collective memory of the church can set in motion the transformation and conservation of vacant churches. ... Read more

This paper utilizes a modular generative design framework, as proposed by Azadi & Nourian (2021b), to create a serious game that includes a novel phase - the development phase - in addition to the three phases proposed in the original framework: planning, configuration, and shaping. The serious game incorporates both digital and physical elements and is tested through a case study involving the transformation of the Kruispunt church in Voorschoten. The game deals with the different stakeholders, their goals and relation towards the church, but also with the values related to attributes that come with religious architectural heritage. In a role game five students play the role of the participants. The reached consensus within the serious game can directly be applied on the case study but the idea is they will be also interpreted by an architect in the last phase, the shaping or as this paper proposes the implementation phase. This paper recommends future research can be done on the further development of a serious game using scoring mechanism, AI and stakeholder participation instead of roleplay. ... Read more

This thesis explores the potentialities of neo-gothic churches’ preservation and redesign in order to re-connect people and nature. It aims to identify elements of neo-gothic churches that are compatible with a biophilic and nature-inclusive mindset. At the same time, it reflects upon incompatibilities and how these can be overcome in order to create a more comprehensive redesign framework.
Additionally, it creates a precedent of incorporating natural features into adaptively redesigned heritage buildings. ... Read more

In Europe Christianity faces steady decline, causing dwindling attendance at
churches. As a result congregations are no longer able to afford the upkeep for their churches, forcing them to end services in these buildings. This caused many grand and historic church buildings to become vacant, and means that many will follow in the near future. Because many of these churches have deep ties to the local community and historically served a very public role, fitting new functions are needed to keep these building sustainable and part of their community. To find an answer to this question, specifically relating to 19th century neogothic churches of the catholic counter reform, the following paper will research the basic principles of (Neo)Gothicism and the methods and process behind the creation of such a church and its furnishings. The aim of the research is to establish the relation between the interior, the symbols and the architecture itself to understand how they together conveyed the story of Christianity, and how this could possibly be adapted for a use after Christianity or how this can be used to establish a fitting new purpose for these churches. As part of a graduation project this research will put the main focus on the RK Barbarakerk, a church going vacant in Culemborg in the Netherlands. By diving in to the construction history and theory of the time the main principles of Gothicism will be established and an understanding of the relation between the architecture, furnishings and symbols will be gained. Then by observing the features of the Barbarakerk, these principles can be contextualized. Finally by comparing existing converted churches to see how they reacted to existing history, symbolism and iconography, illustrate their methods of storytelling through architecture. Finally showing the integral narrative nature of the (Neo)Gothic architecture being able to indicate their own most fitting future. ... Read more

Churches have always been the centre of Dutch society to gather under one roof (De Kruijf & De Roest, 2010). Due to the secularization of the Netherlands, church vacancy is increasing. Currently, churches still fulfill a central function within a city, village or neighborhood (Kerkmagazine, 2022). The Grote- of Mariakerk is one of them, and the vacancy of buildings in such prominent areas of the city will detract from social and physical quality of these areas (De Kruijf & De Roest, 2010). The church should not withdraw from the public domain (Kennedy, J. C. K., 2010). A transformation towards a public interior could avoid this. Kloos (1993) describes public interiors as buildings in which the city’s public space is continued. The social and functional diversity of urban buildings is reflected in their façades (Jürgenhake, 2014), especially around their interior and exterior; the ‘transition zone’ (Gehl, 2011). Therefore this paper focuses on the role of the transition zone when transforming the Grote- of Mariakerk towards a public interior, whilst maintaining its heritage values. By combining literature research , case studies, and field research, the role of the transition zone in public interiors is clarified. By analysing the existing transition zones of the Grote- of Mariakerk and linking them with the criteria of a public interior, opportunities and challenges for the transformation towards a public interior result in design approaches regarding the transition zone. ... Read more

More and more churches are closing, facing vacancy, or even being demolished at an alarming rate, as a result of the declining amount of ecclesiastical in the Netherlands. While many churches are being repurposed, this isn’t always easy, as repurposing is an extremely emotional process for the local community. The locals hope to maintain their Sense of Place towards the church buildings and when this is endangered, they go as far as placing restrictions on business dealings. One of these churches is the Grote- of Mariakerk in Meppel. Instead of the local’s Sense of Place being a roadblock, this paper aims to find a way of working with their emotional bond. By measuring the residents of Meppel’s Sense of Place towards the church, and defining the limits to which the form and function of the building can be changed, without diminishing or damaging the local’s Sense of Place. By doing so, hopefully finding a way of repurposing the Grote- of Mariakerk with their Sense of Place instead of against it. ... Read more

The upcoming circular economy has consequences for the application of materials within the building sector, which requires a different mindset and way of designing from the architect. The aim of this research is to develop a Circularity Overview in which the materials of a building can be assessed for circularity and environmental impact. The Overview can thus be used as a tool to test materials of an existing building, materials for a design, or can be used as a tool during the design process for adaptive reuse. This allows for orderly weighing of options and making choices, therefore it is a tool that can be of interest to students and architects who will be working with circular material use. The Overview is developed from criteria that have been compiled through desk research, for which it was important that the criteria are measurable and verifiable so that results can be replicated and traced. Knowledge about circularity was generated through literature research, after which six case studies were analyzed with an objective view. By testing the Overview on both newly built circular projects and transformed buildings, it emerged that the combination of material use and construction technique of both, such as reusing materials, applying detachable connections, and keeping existing structures intact as much as possible, can lead to favorable outcomes in terms of circularity. The circularity of the case studies as well as the operation of the Overview itself have also become insightful as a result. Although the Circularity Overview has shortcomings due to the incomplete availability of data, it provides an indication of circularity in material use that can be used to support choices before, during, and after a design phase.
The Circularity Overview was used during the design process for the revitalization of the St Barbara church in Culemborg, which resulted in a design with minimal impact on the environment. ... Read more

During adaptive re-use of heritage obejcts, experiential value of characteristics is often overlooked. This project highlights the importance of the effect of architecture on the psyche and how integrating this into the value assessment, a more holistic heritage approach can be realised. Religious heritage often has the capacity to astonish, overwhelm and inspire the visitor. This experience can be linked to the sublime, a philosophical concept which rose to fame in the 18th and 19th century. It describes how wilderness, vast landscapes, impactful structures, art and even music can elevate the mind, leaving a positive influence on mental well-being. The sublime experience is where the individual feels small or insignificant, but in a comforting way and where they are in an environment that goes beyond their imagination, evoking the realisation of the higher powers of their own mind. During adaptive-reuse of vacant churches, this experiential value is often overlooked, resulting in interventions that destroy the sublimity of the object. The research aims to identify the specific architectural characteristics and requirements within religious structure, so they can be preserved during transformation. This would ensure that the valuable experience is not lost, and can continue to positively impact society. A program which is suited to the existing architecture, a mental health & community centre, creates a beneficial relationship between function and structure where, both work towards the same goal: better mental well-being. Interaction between target groups reduces stigma on mental health issues and keep the church a public facility. Preserving the aesthetics and impactfullness of the structure, enhances sustainability and longevity, due to the ability of the structure to garner greater public support. The transformation was done with a zero was approach, meaning that materials that were demolished were re-used and future waste-streams greatly diminished through design. The project highlights how more research on wellness-architecture, or experiential qualities is needed to optimize the potential of heritage transformation. ... Read more

This thesis explores the use of the palimpsest as a theoretical framework for adapting a heritage building. The research studies the former Maranatherkerk in Castricum, Noord-Holland. Set against a backdrop of ever-increasing secularisation in the Netherlands, the former Maranathakerk characterises the struggle faced by many decommissioned churches today - that of a tendency for stakeholders to choose demolition over adaptation. Despite the successful establishment of an upstart school community within the former church in recent years, the site nonetheless faces imminent demolition and redevelopment by the municipality. The focus of the thesis is thus twofold: to propose an extension to the former church and champion it as a permanent home for the school community; and to position the palimpsest as a theoretical framework in guiding the architectural design. The latter builds upon previous discourse on the palimpsest in linguistics, postcolonial theory, archaeology, and drawing theory, and applies this to architectural design in a novel manner. In a palimpsest, the interplay of successive layers transforms the collective into a new whole. The retention of imperfect erasures of past layers forms a crucial part of this transformation. The thesis posits that the valuation of heritage is a subjective process. Rather than attempting to establish 'limits of change' or merely preserving past traces, the existing is taken as is and as a whole and used to study ways in which past layers of the building have influenced the present usage of the site. By investigating and cataloguing the ways the different time layers interact with the life within the building: its phenomenological meanings, characteristics, usage, and everyday rituals, a toolbox for palimpsestuous adaption is formulated. In the final extension proposal, these palimpsestuous fragments are developed and architecturally highlighted in both spatial layout and material detail, encouraging future users and visitors to experience the many past lives of the site and add their own traces onto the tapestry. ... Read more