Transformation is an integral part of innovation, but the intended use also plays a crucial role in this process. We see this increasingly often, even here at Drumroll, in the section of our website that I personally curate: spaces of all kinds and natures are being rethought for uses different from their original purpose.
An interesting example comes from the Netherlands, where the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Heerlen will be converted into a public swimming pool by 2027. But this won’t be its only function.
Imagine swimming with a view of gothic vaults and stained-glass windows. This is the concept behind the renovation by MVRDV, in collaboration with Zecc Architecten.
Built in 1923 and no longer used for religious purposes, the church will be repurposed into a multifunctional space, preserving its original architecture while adapting to different social functions.
The key feature of the project is the flexibility of the interior, which can be reconfigured for various uses. The floor will be replaced by a horizontal structure that adjusts to three levels: lowered for the pool, raised for events, and partially lowered with water to create a reflective surface.
As the vacancy rate of churches increases, creative solutions are needed to repurpose these spaces. This project highlights how architecture can meet new social needs, transforming spaces originally meant for religious use into something entirely new, while maintaining their cultural and historical value.
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