Sint-Audomarus
Repurposing of the parish church – Realization of a library, community and meeting center and an art academy
The concept of repurposing the Sint-Audomarus church serves multiple goals. The church can reinforce its presence at the heart of the community, alongside the school. Simultaneously, the building opens its doors to other associations and municipal services, allowing part of the church space to be adapted for public use. This also presents an opportunity to transform the Sint-Audomarus church into a contemporary liturgical space and more.
For many years, the church building and its surrounding square were both literally and figuratively the center of the community. Countless small and significant histories are tied to it. It was the place for social gatherings, where the people of Bissegem met each other. Through repurposing, the church’s potential to act as a social hub can be reactivated.
The challenge extends beyond simply increasing the use of the church building. We are seeking ways to embed the structure with renewed meaning, not only within the church itself but also in the surrounding spaces. The architecture and the program will redefine these spaces. Beyond this, the church building itself holds significance. Churches are places where heaven touches earth — extraordinary structures that transcend the everyday. Preserving the awe that the building evokes is a key consideration.
For the liturgical space, we propose a new spatial concept for contemporary liturgical practices. This concept draws inspiration from models that have been successfully tested in various locations. It revolves around an elliptical layout, with one focal point being the "table of the word" and the other the "table of the meal." Between them, there is an open central space.
The transept area will serve as the primary space for celebrations, while the choir is reimagined as a sacrament chapel.
To integrate a first floor into the nave, intended for secondary use, we have sought to create a dynamic spatial relationship between the ground floor and the upper level. This is achieved by introducing a curved atrium that wraps around the columns, creating a fluid connection between the two levels. The flexible design can accommodate the town library, a community center, and meeting spaces. Underneath the wooden barrel-vaulted ceiling, space is provided for workshops of the art academy.
The circulation between the different areas designated for secondary use is facilitated by the integration of an elevator shaft, a closed staircase, and an open stairway. The placement of these elements has been carefully considered to create a dynamic spatial flow within an open plan. The closed staircase, designed as a concrete sculpture, replaces one of the columns in the nave. The open spiral staircase connects the various levels in a dynamic way.
With two access points to the liturgical space, the public area surrounding the church becomes more activated. The former side chapels serve as antechambers before entering the high choir. At the site of the repurposed church, the façades are opened up to create a connection between the interior and exterior spaces.