Items Tagged ‘church’
Knox Church Residence
Project Name:
Knox Church ResidenceLocation:
Elsternwick, Victoria, AustraliaCompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
churchNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Established by John Knox, The Kirk was built in 1867 in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick. The building features brick polychrome which was at the height of its popularity during its construction. Alternating cream and umber brick mark the gear-tooth points and wrap the building in tiny quoins. The church became an icon for the community with its style being mimicked in a nearby substation as well as homes.[1]
(Re)Developer
The team at Williams Boag Architects (WBa) has expertise in architecture, planning, urban design, and interior design. With a focus on a sustainable future, WBa has handled a number of adaptive reuse projects since their founding in 1975. Some of their adaptive reuse projects include the conversions of the Melbourne GPO Building (post office to retail hub), the Ancient Times House (warehouse to affordable youth housing), and the former Uniting Church (church to apartments).
Outcome
Through the adaptive reuse process, WBa was able to retain the shell of the church as well as the original flooring. Even the original pulpit remains in the new home, moved only about 10 feet. The interior now includes segmented rooms within the large space of the church. A new garage was added separate from the church while a carport was attached to the family room.[2]
This once community space for worshipping has now been repurposed for the benefit of a single family. While the community may have lost a gathering space, the surrounding area has been strengthened by the retained style and new life of the conversion.
[1]Australian Design Review
[2]Australian Design Review
Images courtesy of Sonia Mangiapane.
Ideas Abound for Future Use
Project Name:
Ideas Abound for Future UseLocation:
Completion Date:
Original Use(s):
New Use(s):
Project Description:
The Town of Amherst (Massachusetts) and leaders of the North Congregational Church are in talks to determine how to best reuse the church building. The congregation at North Church has become too small for the large building. They plan on either renting out a small portion for themselves, or turning the building over completely for a new use. While some talk has included the idea of another religious group taking over the space, many discussions have focused on adapting it for a new use.
The leaders of the church have stated that they do not support the building become condos or retail space. Office space is one consideration, but a lack of parking has stymied this idea. Another idea is for the congregation and the North Amherst Library to trade spaces, providing the library with much-needed room. The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has voiced its support for the building to be turned into an arts and performance center.
At this point, no plans have been set in stone. The church is awaiting a potential buyer who’s intentions for the structure meet their own desires.
Selexyz Dominicanen
Project Name:
Selexyz DominicanenLocation:
Maastricht, Netherlands, EUCompletion Date:
2007Original Use(s):
Dominican church, parish, warehouse, archive, bicycle storageNew Use(s):
bookstoreProject Description:
History
This 800-year old building once served this Dutch community as a Dominican church. Built in 1294, the Dominicans gave up the structure in 1794 when Maastricht was invaded by Napoleon and the religious order was forced out. Since that time it has served as a parish, then a warehouse, then an archive, and most recently as a bicycle storage location.[1]
(Re)Developer
Selexyz, one of the larger chains of bookstores in the Netherlands, teamed up with Merkx + Girod to completely repurpose the old, significant building.
Outcome
The building is again flowing with life and activity. Located in one of the country’s oldest cities, the adaptation “retains the character and charm of the old church, while being fitted with a minimalist and modern interior design that overcomes any suggestion of fustiness.”[2] Thanks to its massive ceiling height, two additional floors were added by a three-story black steel book stack to provide additional retail space. A cafe has been incorporated into the former choir alongside a seating area where shoppers can relax at the back of the building. A cross-shaped reading table was even included in the cafe area as homage to its past.[3]
[1]Inhabitat
[2]The Guardian
[3]Inhabitat
Images courtesy of sjoerdphoto and Inhabitat.
Meridian Arch
Project Name:
Meridian ArchLocation:
Indianapolis, Indiana, USACompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
church & schoolNew Use(s):
residential condosProject Description:
History
Meridian Arch first started as the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. The church was completed in 1906 using Indiana limestone in the style of French Gothic architecture. At that time, the front of the church had two large spires on either front corner. The congregation eventually left the building after growth required a larger facility. Indiana Business College then took over the site in 1947 and added offices and classrooms. The college then required additional space and moved out in 2003.[1]
(Re)Developer
The site was (re)adapted by Hearthview Residential. Although their initial plans called for demolishing the church, community activists and the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission quickly had the building placed on Historic Individual Property status. Hearthview quickly and without argument altered their plans to adapt the existing building instead.[2]
Outcome
The new Meridian Arch offers the community a new lease on life. Respecting the building’s place and effect within the area’s social fabric, the new residences easily mix within the neighborhood. It is surrounded by the Veterans Memorial Plaza and new Central Library. The building now offers 27 condos for this community. “Although the alterations have made the church ineligible for the National Register, they made it eligible to remain a living, contributing building to the city. That was a good trade off.”[3]
[1]Hearthview Residential
[2]DIG-B
[3]INArchitecture
Images courtesy of Indiana Historical Society and INArchitecture.
Chapel Residence
Project Name:
Chapel ResidenceLocation:
Utrecht, Netherlands, EUCompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
chapelNew Use(s):
residenceProject Description:
History This beautiful old Catholic chapel in Utrecht had served its community as a religious center for centuries (exact date of founding is uncertain - please email if you can verify).
(Re)Developer
Zecc Architecten has a long history of renovating historic and cultural sites.
Outcome
The conversion offers a brand new modern look inside while still respecting the historical appearance on the exterior. Due to its high ceiling, a second floor was able to be incorporated thus increasing livable space. The living room, dining area, and kitchen are located on the first floor while the second floor is used as a loft space. The original stained glass windows were retained while additional windows were incorporated on the first floor on the street side to allow for additional natural light. Very little of the original structural interior was altered, save the organ balcony which was extended for additional floor space. Furniture from the old chapel was also reused – benches are now used for seating at the dining table which is also made from benches.[1]
[1]Zecc Architecten
Images courtesy of Zecc Architecten.