No programme? No Problem!
A Material Approach towards the Conversion of 1960s church buildings.
Instructor(s):
Sven Sterken, Femke Van der Meulen
Engagement:
Craftsmanship
Location:
Gent
Language/Taal:
English/Dutch
Semester:
Semester 3, Fall 2025
Description/Inhoud:
This design studio proposes an alternative approach to the repurposing of 1960s church buildings by no longer asking how a given structure should be adapted to accommodate a new programme, but by exploring to what extent its physical properties can dictate such a future use. Can the aesthetic aspect of a new intervention originate from a dialogue with the building’s materials and original design intention? Does the building’s construction method or structural logic provide clues for future adaptations? By exploring these questions, we seek to acquire not only an in-depth acquaintance with the specific qualities and deficiencies of the 20th century building materials, constructions methods and structural principles that were used at the time in religious architecture, but also develop an empathic attitude towards the existing built environment as a material and historical construct.
Line of inquiry/Onderzoekslijn:
Material Reality, Working With
Topic, Thematic Focus/Thema:
This studio investigates how an in-depth understanding of their typical materiality can provide clues in shaping the afterlife of redundant 1960s church buildings.
Key Questions or Provocation/ Centrale vragen en provocaties:
• What happens when we look at redundant 1960s church buildings as a material construct instead of a material problem?
• Instead of working from the large scale to the detail, what happens if we extrapolate the material or constructive logic that can be found in a building detail?
• Do we design to prevent or accelerate material decay?
• Can we still justify to demolish existing structures today?
Methodologies or Formats / Methodologie:
In group: speed dating (quick design exercises on location) & case study analysis
Individual: literature study & design research
Design / Expected Outcome(s) / Ontwerp:
Critical design(ed) interventions enabling a future use of the building
Deliverables / In te dienen documenten:
WP1 – Analysis: report case analysis & group model
WP2 – Personal Statement: poster with analysis on all three scales and proposed strategy
WP3 – Redevelopment Scenario: concept model, synthetic image for each scale & additional plans and drawings
WP4 – Reading Assignment: see reference literature in full studio
- Find the full studio brief as pdf here.
Photo: Paul Meekels, church of Sint-Jozef Ambachtsman, Mol (1961). Vacant since, 2024, it is currently awaiting repurposing (Photograph © Sven Sterken, 2025).