broerenkerk church gets a final transformation

‘waanders in der broeren’ by bk architecten, zwolle, the netherlands
image © joop van putten
all images courtesy of bk architecten

the broerenkerk church – now named ‘waanders in der broeren’- in the city of zwolle, the netherlands, has been around since 1466 and has served as an active house of worship up until 1982, laying dormant for 3 decades until it reopened this july after a renovation carried out by local firm bk architecten. the obvious careful attention given to each connection, material choice, and integration within the existing structure successfully redefines the grandiose proportions and classical geometries as spaces appropriate for contemporary times. now housing a shop, catering business, and exhibition space, the religious thematic is present throughout the entire structure, from the elaborately decorated vaulted ceilings to the beautiful stained glass windows. the intervening structure comfortably occupies the large open spaces of the colonnade without directly attaching to it. neutral color tones radiate elegance and fit appropriately with the  host’s historical palette. a contemporary stained glass panel made by norwegian artist kjell nupen adds a vibrant touch of color to one extreme of the long space which, with the help of the refurbished organ at the other extreme, draws visitors through the entire length of the nave.

central stairs
image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

image © hans westerink

image © hans westerink

image © hans westerink

image © joop van putten

refurbished organ originally installed in 1821
image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

the natural architecture was used to create large-scale spaces
image © joop van putten

image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

the original nave turned into a cafe/ public seating area
image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

exhibition space
image © hans westerink

image © joop van putten

image © hans westerink

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