Dialogue and conversion into a place of worship. Blaisant church by B juxta architecten
17/09/2023.
[Ghent] Belgium
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Ghent-based architecture studio, B juxta Architecten, was selected for the renovation of the Maria Goretti Church into a meeting place with different functions. The church is located in the port city of Ghent, northwest Belgium.
In 2015, a design competition was held to renovate one of Ghent's churches to give it new life and functionality. The church does not have a sacred character, so it wanted to become a meeting point for the city's residents.
In 2015, a design competition was held to renovate one of Ghent's churches to give it new life and functionality. The church does not have a sacred character, so it wanted to become a meeting point for the city's residents.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Site plan. Blaisant church by B juxta architecten.
Floor plan. Blaisant church by B juxta architecten.
Floor plan. Blaisant church by B juxta architecten.
B juxta architecten opts for the projection of a new volume of 565 square meters at the entrance of the church. This space enjoys different functional spaces such as a kitchen, sanitary facilities, and a cloakroom.
An elegant design is presented that respects the structure of the church to create a good relationship between the old and new architecture. Thanks to the new volume, you can organize events of various kinds that enrich the people of the area.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.An elegant design is presented that respects the structure of the church to create a good relationship between the old and new architecture. Thanks to the new volume, you can organize events of various kinds that enrich the people of the area.
Blaisant church by B juxta architecten. Photograph by Michiel Vergauwe.
Project description by B juxta architecten
Retrofit of the Maria Goretti Church into a multifunctional meeting place.
In 2015, following a design competition, we were selected by the non-profit organisation DOIC to transform the deconsecrated Maria Goretti Church into a multifunctional meeting place. To realise this, we designed a new volume at the entrance of the church. The addition houses a number of necessary functions including the kitchen, sanitary facilities, a cloakroom and heating system, which provide the necessary comfort for organising events of various kinds. We opted for a sleek design that respects the formal language of the former church, so that old and new enter into a fascinating dialogue.
More information
Architects
Project team
Gert Brulmans, Mieke Goegebuer, Laurence Verstuyft, Anton Witdouck.
Client
VZW DOIC.
Area
565 sqm.
Dates
Completion of work.- 2019.
Location
Blaisantvest 37, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Photography
Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten and Sebastiaan Leroy. B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta
B-architecten, B-bis, B-city, B-juxta. Back in 1997, Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten set up an independent office for architecture: B-architecten was born. The three had met during their education in Antwerp and Amsterdam. At the internationally oriented Berlage Institute, it became clear that Evert, Dirk and Sven shared a common design interest. Today, the office is located in Antwerp and Brussels.
Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.
In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.
Today, B is the sum of four studio divisions called B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.
Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.
In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.
Today, B is the sum of four studio divisions called B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.
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