Expansion of the Westerkerk
The Westerkerk in Leeuwarden is a national monument with a colourful history. The first nave of the former Sint-Anna convent dates back to the 16th century. In the 17th century, the second nave was added to the Dutch Reformed Church, changing the orientation of the choir. The organ and stage were repositioned to the long side of the church. And now, four centuries later, Gianni Cito’s design for the third nave has become a reality. “This concerns a small and complex expansion, with facility functions for the cultural organisation that uses the building”, says the architect. “Additionally, the schoolyard at the rear of the church gains more space.”
Programme
Public building
Surface
500 m² GFA
Architect
Gianni Cito
Team
Patrick de Weerd, Lennart Aben-Leufkens
Status
Completed
Year
2020 - 2023
Location
Leeuwarden
Client
Municipality of Leeuwarden
Photographer
Thijs Wolzak & Construction Company De Vries
Landscape
Peetersendaan
Contractor
Construction Company De Vries
Inside imagination
The Westerkerk has sparked the imagination for centuries. Over time, it has been home to a monastic order, a brewery, a reformatory, a youth church, a theatre, and a live music stage. Even today, it remains a place where stories are told through performances, lectures, public debates, and concerts. For this purpose, the old pipe organ from the 19th century is being restored and reinstalled. The new third nave supports all these activities by providing space for storage, technical facilities, the organ’s machine room, dressing rooms, sanitary facilities, and a loading and unloading zone.
Outside play
The small third nave replaces the outbuildings that had been added to the church over time. This restores the Westerkerk’s old, powerful shape. At the same time, a fully-fledged and sheltered playground is created for the school, where children can kick a ball against the solid steel walls of the new nave.
Black steel
The third nave is an extension of the blank walls of the second nave. The small building is constructed of black steel, with a ribbed relief that creates a soft, velvety appearance. Together, the steel, the church’s bricks, and the school’s wood create a pleasant material variation on the square.