From Sacred Space to Swimming Pool: Dutch Church Reimagined as Public Bath

A former church in the heart of Heerlen is set to be transformed into a vibrant public space, thanks to a visionary project by architecture firms MVRDV and Zecc Architecten. The unused religious building will become a multifunctional public swimming pool, blending architectural innovation with a deep respect for the site’s history.

© MVRDV, Zecc Architecten

The main entrance will be marked by a glowing circular canopy—a modern-day “halo” that symbolically links past and present. Inside, visitors will walk down the church’s aisles to reach changing rooms and a café area located at the rear. The centerpiece is a climate-controlled swimming pool, enclosed by transparent glass walls that both showcase and protect the church’s historic features.

© MVRDV, Zecc Architecten

To accommodate the pool, the existing floor will be carefully removed. Original pews will be reused as part of the glass wall structure—serving as seating for swimmers on one side and as bar tables for spectators on the other. The old pulpit will find new life as the lifeguard’s station.

© MVRDV, Zecc Architecten

A key feature of the design is the adjustable pool floor, which can be raised or lowered to suit different activities and age groups. When fully raised, the floor hides the pool completely, creating a flat surface for cultural or social events. Alternatively, the entire pool area can be filled with a thin layer of water, creating a reflective surface where visitors can “walk on water” and experience the church interior in a mesmerizing new way.

© MVRDV, Zecc Architecten 

“With more and more churches becoming vacant, we need to find new, creative uses for these buildings,” says Winy Maas, founding partner at MVRDV. “Why not restore their social function, as they once had? A public swimming pool fits perfectly. Imagine swimming backstroke while gazing up at vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows.”

A new mosaic floor—designed in collaboration with local artists—will adorn the pool area and reference the church’s original colors, materials, and stained glass. Above the pool, four rows of lighting inspired by historical church fixtures will double as swimming lane guides.

© MVRDV, Zecc Architecten

From a technical standpoint, the challenge was to sustainably heat the pool space while preserving the church’s historic materials. The glass walls help compartmentalize the pool area, protecting delicate stained glass and artworks. The roof will be insulated from the outside, maintaining the view of the original brickwork from within. Afterward, the original roof tiles will be reinstalled. Acoustic panels will be added to the wooden ceiling to improve sound quality, and the technical systems have been discreetly integrated, with air-handling units located in the basement. This approach ensures comfort and energy efficiency while safeguarding the building’s heritage.

Titled Heerlen Holy Water, the project is a collaboration between MVRDV, Zecc Architecten, IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Nelissen Ingenieursbureau, and construction economics consultancy SkaaL. The first dive is expected by the end of 2027.

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Cover image: © MVRDV, Zecc Architecten