Dutch architectural studios MVRDV and Zecc Architecten have won a competition to convert the historic St Francis of Assisi church in Heerlen into a public swimming pool. The project, perversely named Holy Water, will give the abandoned church a new social function while preserving its historical character. The idea is an architectural innovation and an example of a creative approach to the problem of vacancy among religious buildings.
Holy Water – the church as a swimming pool
The Church of St Francis of Assisi, built more than a century ago in the southern Netherlands, ceased its liturgical activities in 2023. This event opened the door to its new life, this time as an urban swimming pool. The transformation of the building will not only meet the growing demand for leisure facilities in Heerlen, but will also give a new function to a well-known landmark in the city centre. The adaptation of the church is part of a wider plan to revitalise the inner city, which includes, among other things, the creation of a Roman museum and the renovation of the historic Royal-Rivoli cinema.
Architecture with light and water
The new entrance to the swimming pool will be highlighted by a luminous canopy in the form of a ring, a contemporary touch that alludes to the building’s sacred past. Inside, the former aisles will lead to the changing rooms and refreshment area, located at the rear of the church. The pool space will be separated from the rest of the interior by glass walls, which will create an air-conditioned zone while allowing a view into the central area. The most important element of the design will be the movable pool floor, which can be raised or lowered to accommodate different activities. In its extreme position, the floor will completely cover the pool, restoring a flat space that can serve cultural and social events. What’s more, the entire pool area will be able to be covered with a thin layer of water, which, with the right lighting, will create a mirror effect, giving the impression that visitors can ‘walk on water’.
Holy Water: the second life of details
The designers have ensured that the historic elements of the interior will be given new functions. Wooden benches from the nave will be transformed into seats for swimmers and bar tables for observers. The former pulpit will become a lifeguard point, and the floor will be replaced with a mosaic inspired by the church’s colours and stained glass windows, created in collaboration with local artists. It is also a nod to the rich tradition of murals in Heerlen.
Technology in the service of heritage
The project team was faced with a daunting task: how to combine modern pool technology with the protection of the delicate, historic interior elements? The solution turned out to be glass walls that will separate the pool area from the rest of the interior, protecting the stained glass windows and works of art from moisture. The roof will be insulated from the outside and the original wooden structure preserved and supplemented with acoustic panels. Technical installations have been hidden in the basement, ensuring energy efficiency without interfering with the historic structure.
The Holy Water project is being developed in collaboration between MVRDV, Zecc Architecten and the engineering offices of IMd, Nelissen and SkaaL. The pool is scheduled to open at the end of 2027.
Source: MVRDV
Also read: Architecture | Metamorphosis | Monument | Sacred architecture | The Netherlands
