Adaptive Reuse of Religious Buildings for Housing in the Netherlands: Conditions, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract This article examines the adaptation of religious buildings for residential use within the broader context of secularisation and heritage preservation. It takes as its starting point the widespread decommissioning of churches in Europe – particularly in the Netherlands – which has created a pressing need for new models of reuse. The study aims to identify the conditions, constraints, and future prospects of converting churches into housing, with attention to both architectural-technical and cultural-social dimensions. The research employs qualitative methods, including literature and archival analysis, historical-interpretive approaches, and fieldwork comprising on-site observations and interviews with architects, building managers, and representatives of religious communities. The findings show that the successful adaptation of religious buildings requires balancing the preservation of historic fabric with the accommodation of contemporary functional needs. Equally, the study underscores the importance of intangible values – such as collective memory, symbolism, and community identity – in shaping strategies for the transformation of religious buildings into secular functions.