Secularization has led to a decrease in the significance of religious traditions and thereby the use of churches. Accordingly, many church buildings have been converted or are used multi functionally such as the Stevenskerk in Nijmegen (NL), the monumental case study of this project. Thereby, the lifespan of
the building is extended while making use of its embodied energy.
However, the large enclosed space and the insufficient energy performance of the non-insulated building skin lead to an immense heating demand and closing of the Stevenskerk during the winter period due to unsatisfactory thermal conditions. Excessive heating results in a high energy consumption and building related CO2 emissions which are a main contributor to the ongoing climate crisis. Furthermore, the limited usability and accessibility during the cold season reduce the visibility of the national monument. This creates a lack of understanding the relevance of conserving religious heritage among citizens.
Therefore, this project investigated different renovation strategies with the aim to improve the thermal comfort in the Stevenskerk as a case-study for monumental and multi-functional churches by answering the research question «How can the renovation of the stained glass windows in combination with indoor space adaptations increase the thermal comfort in the multi-functional Stevenskerk in order to improve the accessibility of the monument all year around?»
Additional ambitions and values for the identification of suitable renovation measures were defined: the usability of the space, the reduction of the heating demand, the conservation of significant monumental values, the durability of the measures with respect to their sustainability, the proportionality of the financial investment and the acoustic and lighting conditions.
Literature review, in-situ measurements in the Stevenskerk, thermal computer simulations and physical calculations in combination with research by design enabled the identification, the development and the comparison of different renovation methods. The project introduced an evaluation framework which
resulted in a comparative overview of different window renovation and spatial adaptations strategies which is applicable for the Stevenskerk as well as for other multi-functional and monumental church buildings in the Netherlands.
According to the assessment of the introduced strategies, a renovation proposal for the Stevenskerk was developed. Based on the finding that one renovation measure for the whole building cannot fulfill all requirements, distinctive interventions for the different zones in the Stevenskerk are suggested. This enables a flexible and adaptive use according to the needs of different user groups and the space in a long-term perspective in accordance with its social responsibility as a building for the community.
To conclude, this project presents an approach on how to combine current user and building requirements with the preservation of heritage values by developing and selecting suitable renovation strategies in order to promote the functionality and visibility of the Stevenskerk and other multi-functional churches as «living heritage».

In an excerpt from the fictional work “Waterland” (Swift, 1992), the narrator labels water as “Nothing,” implying land and humans as “Something.” This was more of a philosophical expression that can alternatively be inferred from the real-world processes like land reclamation. Land was always associated with value, stability, certainty and utility in contrast to water. Subsequently, early civilizations and modern-day habitations fundamentally removed or controlled water. However, the traditional water systems did this in a more sustainable fashion. Here, water management was a unit of cultural expression of the site-specific challenges faced by people, be it in terms of topography, climate or social hierarchy. One such traditional water system, where land and water assumed identities of being something and nothing respectively is the “Kuttanad Kayalnilam Farming System”: a long-established land-water utilization system that practices paddy farming below sea level for more than a century now in Kerala, India. Positioned at the mouth of a delta, this agrarian landscape deals with the threat of periodically fluctuating water levels resulting in seasonal flooding which adversely influences the livelihood of the inhabitants. Taking the case of the Kuttanad deltaic landscape, this thesis brings to the foreground, a radical departure from the tenets of classical terrestrial centric approaches in geography and landscape architecture for creating a flexible landscape by redefining the relationship between land and water in order to improve the quality of life and space in the delta. The new fluid geographical approach was based on a systematic understanding of the amphibious qualities embedded in the site context through a four-lens approach. The lenses being volatility, hydro-sociality, rhythm and wetness, and reflect respectively: radical emergence of lives and landscapes, the mutual implications of social life and water flows, the pulsating temporality in hydro-social relations and the materialization of water in everyday life (Krause, 2017). Together these lenses led to a site-specific spatial framework for enhancing the amphibious value of landscapes. In the specific case of Kuttanad, this called for a revival of the indigenous relationship between land and water which can be accomplished by moderately restoring the cyclical movement of salt and water. This radical change is envisioned over a large time frame by means of a slow landscape architectural process where nature and humans evolve and adapt to the cycle of salt and water. Furthermore, an adaptive design calendar or water calendar was formulated to guide this slow landscape transformation. The water calendar is a very site-specific tool that can be used for both visual communication and decision making regarding the function, quality and diversity of space and life in a flexible landscape operating within the spatio-temporal context of any deltaic region. Ultimately, it will guide to gradually build a complex narrative of how humans and nature exchange roles between being makers and takers of the landscape over time. On the other hand, the role of the landscape architect is to facilitate this narrative by envisioning a slow landscape architectonic transformation. On the whole, this is a generic approach that can be applied to any other delta facing similar challenges and can be a model for the future direction of flexible and resilient landscapes.

The past generation has built more than all previous generations combined. The houses got bigger, families got smaller and our lifestyle more consuming. Times however have changed so that nowadays we are faced with multiple social problems – such as aging and loneliness – and environmental problems. Living more social and reducing consumption is therefore crucial for our society nowadays, and suitable for the proposed location in the neighbourhood 'De Werven' in 'Almere Haven'. The focus on relationships, community and reducing resources led to the subject of cohousing; a residential community that shares resources, facilities and that undertakes joint activities. This type of living suits – and can even improve – social cohesion within Almere Haven and the feeling of being part of something. The original thought of ‘De Werven’ was to create small, social neighbourhoods within a larger residential neighbourhood. Implementing cohousing within this typology therefore suits the original intention. By changing the housing typologies a community is realised for different family situations suitable for all ages. For the transformation the present existing materials will be harvested and reused to establish a circular and low-energy living environment. An environment in which the individual is just as important as the community.

As a result of long time colonisation and trade, the city of Semarang in Indonesia has a large stock of built heritage that share a history with the Netherlands. The Dutch colonial buildings, left to decay have become a backdrop for tourists and feed into the 'insta culture' sweeping the current decade. At the same time the city suffers deeply from a neglected river, Kali Semarang, and lack of accessibility to water. How can we confront the current issues of water, waste and neglected built heritage? The idea that we are all connected, spatially, politically, environmentally and by memory and so on are confronted while finding solutions to empower the communities, and provide better access to a basic human right; water.

In the context of the H&A Shared Heritage Lab, which I am part of, crucial built heritage issues are investigated in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. Bandung has many Indonesian-Dutch heritage sites and buildings as a result of the long period of colonization by the Dutch. They are part of both Dutch and Indonesian history and have become part of the expanding cities and changing landscapes of modern-day Indonesia. The challenge of this studio is to give new meaning and use to this environment, in order to realize an inclusive, thriving and healthy city, taking past, present and future into account.As part of the Heritage & Architecture team in this Shared Heritage Lab, I focused on the development of the Railroad, and its impact on the city. While initially it was on the borders of Bandung, during the years and the expansion of it, the Railway line ended up being a dead zone in the center of the city, splitting it into two, enhancing segregation and obstructing normal every-day activities. A transformation of the Railway line into a “green belt” is proposed, that includes public and green spaces, cycle path, and a new tram line. My project is located in a former military complex along the Railroad backbone, and attempts to tackle the existing problems on a neighborhood scale. The site holds both tangible and intangible values of the shared past and is transformed in order to serve current societal needs. Through the merging of traditional and modern activities with education, the aim is to maintain and develop the cultural identity and critical cultural knowledge and practices of the community, and to create the necessary environment to equip locals with skills and motivation towards their future.The architectural process is used as a tool to empower the local communities. So the whole concept is about two things - the process and the project, centralizing the users in each phase. The design explores the values of honest materiality, craftsmanship, expressive tectonics, and vernacular sensitivity. Through the deliberate selection of materials and construction methods with the potential to be adapted by local workers, the construction process will serve as a mode of capacity building and livelihood training. The transformed complex will provide much needed space for collective activities for the surrounding communities, and at the same time it will get a new life. Involving the users in the process of making the space will create a total new meaning for them regarding this place. It will become a symbol of change manifested through their effort. Empowering local people to find their own voice, will shape the citizens of a future resilient city, while important sustainability principles integrated in the project will direct the users’ behaviors towards a greener living environment for the future. The colonial heritage is both a means and a goal in this project. It provides the necessary space, and it raises awareness at the same time. The project is not only about the building of a community center, but rather, the building of a community.

The transformation of Knil Magazijnen into a creative and learning cluster of plastic waste constitutes my attempt to explore the boundaries of heritage adaptive re-use in Bandung, Indonesia and how through the design of an inclusive and healthy environment, social and environmental challenges can be addressed in a more integrated way. In a built environment like the city of Bandung where social segregation between the formally structured communities and the more organic kampung villages dominates the city scape contributing to a significant extent to most of the urban challenges like environmental pollution the projects strives for inclusion. The project's ambition was to show how by understanding the context and by putting first the people and their needs, architecture and heritage adaptive re-use can contribute to healthier and more resilient cities. More specifically, the project unfolds with the integration of a plastic waste recycling cycle combined with a more communal environment, with creative spaces and educational facilities that not only makes people aware of the issue, the consequences but also allows waste to become part of the daily routine and thus for the people to explore the possibilities around its re-use and up-cycling and thus create business opportunities in a inclusive environment for all. The combination of bottom up and top down approaches both in terms of the programme but also in the physical materialisation of the design offers the means for change. Architecturally, the project explores the relationship between waste and people between working and public environment between openness and enclosure in various different scales. From city scale with the transformation of the former railway into a new tram line accompanied by a green belt, on a neighbourhood scale with the transformation of Knil Magazinjen into a creative and learning cluster of plastic waste, while on a building scale this integration is explored through architectural design and building technology. Even though the programme addresses the current urban challenges the development and materialisation of the design strives for flexibility and adaptability in order to enhance the qualities of the existing site.

What will the future of the shared heritage city center of Bandung, Indonesia be? When researching the current city center, it became clear that the historical structures of the city cannot cope with the growth of the city. In the past there was space for water, green and heritage, however traffic and people are taking over now. This results in a city that has to deal with a big societal water problem of floods, shortages and pollution. In the past people lived in harmony with nature and appreciated the value of water. Nowadays people mainly experience the negative impact of water, causing a decline in the awareness of the value of water. Besides this, due to extreme urbanization, there is no place of escape from this bustling city. No place where people can hide from time and the daily routine. This leads to a design strategy with different scales of impact. First, it focuses on the scale of personal nourishment. With the design of a bathhouse, people are able to experience the benefits of a sustainable future in which we live with clean water and at the same time have the opportunity to escape and take a moment for cleansing both body and mind. Secondly, the design is a reinterpretation of the water cycle. This includes an ecological water system, based on the reuse of water through recycling, reducing the amount of new fresh water. This ensures a future with water and as well as having a positive impact on the current urban water structure. The project location, Jalan Braga nr. 43, is situated in the middle of the historical city. The building, constructed around 1915, makes the connection between the bustling shopping street, Jalan Braga and an enclosed garden adjacent to the Cikapundung river and the Kampung. It harbours water traces of flooding and historical water systems. This challenging site fits into the ambition of the project and has the power to create a showcase for similar circumstances in the world. The program of the building forms a circle of moments of escape, a transition from stress to mental and physical rest. The design of the building responds to the old heritage structures. It uses and strengthens the values of the different parts of the existing building. Each part contains another moment of escape. The circulation of the program is connected to the waterflow of the treatment system, which runs through the entire building. The commercial part of the building, connected to Jalan Braga, will host a teahouse to sit down and have a drink. It also contains the first part of the ecological water filter system. The in-between part, the node, makes the connection with the remainder of the building and offers a place to breathe. Spaces that can be used for yoga to find your physical rest. Besides this it forms the collector of rain as an important part of the ecological water system. The part of the building adjacent to the river hosts the bathhouse for men and women to let people experience the benefits of the filtered water. The bathhouse is built upon the old robust walls which enclose the garden. This enclosed garden, taman tertutup, offers a place in which you can escape and discover the last part of the water system, the constructed wetlands. Based on the vision of seeing shared heritage as an inspirator for a sustainable future, every intervention highlights cultural values. Values which are enhanced in the design by the use of the elements of water, green and light. These elements, the tools of awareness for shared heritage, guide you through the building and inspire how we can adapt heritage buildings for a sustainable future, in which we can live with water. Take time, escape and become aware of the eternal future of water.

The problem statement focuses on the livelihoods of the residents of the kampongs in the historical city center of Bandung, Indonesia. The livelihoods within the kampong are mainly based on self-employment in the form of goods and services. This type of economic activity is widely known as the informal economy and consists of certain risks. The conditions and circumstances in which they work, which is in most cases, established on a ‘work at home’ basis, are not designed as such as the type of work requires it to be, such as the lack of sanitary facilities and the required space and light, in other words, a healthy work environment.
These observations led to the following design question: how can the cultural values within the kampong community be implemented in order to contribute to the transformation of the old colonial city center of Bandung and vice versa? Therefore, the purpose of this project focuses on sustaining balance in the livelihoods of the local kampong residents through the cultural values of their community within the colonial city center of Bandung.
The design solution is based on creating public and semi-public space within a colonial heritage building, where both the residents of the kampong as well as the users of the historic city center, or more specifically the Braga Street. Thus, this resulted in the transformation of the old Hellerman building, where the heritage is used as a showcase for reconstruction, reinterpretation, and adaptation, and where the programme is based on urban farming, communal kitchens, dining space, and an education hub.

Developing and testing an approach to the densification of Indonesian inner cities that grows from the values of shared heritage to create a synergy between its formal street and urban kampong structure

This project, part of the Architecture & Heritage graduation studio, is about the transformation of an post-war highschool in Zutphen. The school is transformed from an highschool into a language institute. The building is part of a new masterplan for the neighbourhood Nieuwstad.

The thesis concerns itself with the redesign of harbour heritage in the city of Rotterdam. The historic cotton warehouse of the Katoenveem is transformed using a mainly phenomenological approach to architecture.

The transformation of buildings is one of the main emergent themes in contemporary architecture. This does not only count for monuments, but also
for the existing housing stock. This graduation project deals with the transformation of 4 buildings in Delft, build in the ERA- building system – a non-traditional construction system.
Because of the urban planning the quality of living degrades downwards in the building, simultaneously to the degradation of views. To tackle that problem and to meet current living standards the views get improved through small interventions in and around the buildings. To protect the environment in multiple ways materials and building parts get reused to keep the embodied energy low and achieve direct carbon related savings.

The two main problems of the Intervamflats are comfort and energy consumption. The portiekflats from 1964 are not well insulated, which result in spaces that can not be heated sufficiently and a high-energy consumption. To make these portiekflats comply with current comfort standards and legislation (e.g. Energieakkoord: social housing must have label B on average in 2020) a renovation is needed, which is the binding factor between the state of the art and the architectural & cultural historical values.

Sustainability is one of the biggest topics in the current architectural field. The real meaning of sustainability in the architecture is not restricted to the energy issue but related to the quality of life in rather humanistic discourse. As indicated on the Burra Charter in 2013, place that coexists with the cultural importance upgrades the people’s life by virtue of the diversity of the community. Also, it insists the importance of conservation grounded on the principle of intergenerational equity. This assertion calls attention to the renovation project due to the needs of exploration in the existing legacy. The sustainable design and research focused on the reusability of visible and invisible values will contribute to the urban environment so that the community work actively as a living organism. Therefore, this research will be relevant to any other heritage project because it deals mainly with the conflicting values on the boundary between the cultural value and the people’s need to revive the value of the past to the current society. Of course, the design approach to the Nemavo-Airey system will especially be applicable to the other building systems in the existing building stocks from the similar era in the Netherland. However, the design process also will serve as a momentum to transform the value left at the heritage building to a new possibility so that the social properties can expand its lifespan.