Character-Defining Features
pipe organ
choir seats
church pews
room dividers
stair hall
These images show the adaptive reuse of a church as a boutique hotel . The lower-level Akron Plan meeting space and classrooms were converted to hotel rooms . The upper-level sanctuary was adapted for a bar / restaurant . Kevin King , Thomas Jefferson University
in a former Swedenborgian church in Philadelphia converted to multi-tenant office space . An area adjacent to the altar was left open to the ceiling as a lobby space , with circulation provided by a sculptural spiral stairway to one side . A glazed wall separating the lobby from the office spaces further preserved the openness of the former sanctuary . Another , similar approach pushes the office spaces to each side , leaving the center space at full height . Open balconies on each side maintain the spaciousness of the original sanctuary . A more intensive use , such as residential housing , might follow this same design strategy but on a smaller scale to increase the usable space .
Housing generally requires a higher percentage of usable square footage and enclosed spaces , making preservation of any portion of the sanctuary volume more difficult . Designing the layout with the circulation core at the altar or nave end is a good strategy here , too , although the space for a stairway might be reduced . The Steeple at University City provides an interesting example that employed the “ box in a box ” approach . In this project , the residential units are contained in a box within the sanctuary . Skylights illuminate the space , although the windows open to the former church interior ( not the exterior ). This design allows for preservation of the sanctuary interior perimeter decoration and , significantly , the stained-glass windows , which can be difficult to preserve in residential spaces . The loss of floor space , however , pushed the residential construction literally through the roof , where two-anda-half-story dormers were added .
The addition of dormers is often required to capitalize on the uppermost volume of sanctuary interiors . Such design decisions impact the historical character of the church , requiring careful attention to the form and materials used for the dormers and the shape of the new windows . While those adapting the building need not replicate existing materials , all efforts should be made to keep the new materials compatible with the historic building .
In my class we start the design process by researching the history of our site and visiting the building to identify character-defining features . The students study examples of adaptively reused churches and buildings with similar spaces ( especially large-volume interiors ) to understand the possibilities for their project . Which design strategies are successful and which are not ? Do projects respond to established historic design standards , such as the secretary of the interior ’ s Standards for Rehabilitation , considered to be a guide to best practices in the field ? I challenge my students to design an adaptive reuse project that might be too big for the building , pushing them to consider dormers or an addition . By far the most demanding aspect of every project , however , is the treatment of stained-glass windows . Even if their removal is proposed , designing an appropriate replacement window is no easy feat ! I plan to focus future class assignments solely on this problem . Fresh solutions are needed for preserving existing windows or inserting new windows compatible with the character of the building .
Historic churches stand as familiar landmarks in our communities . The combination of vacancies and intense development pressure in many cities , particularly for housing , should give us all a renewed sense of the importance and urgency of finding appropriate ways to adaptively reuse houses of worship . I look forward to continuing to find ways to preserve these community assets alongside my students and colleagues .
14 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2023