Comments on: A shop in a church by Merkx + Girod Architecten http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/ architecture and design magazine Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:06:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: bobble-bee http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-169936 bobble-bee Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:22:11 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-169936 This is absolutely gorgeous. Great idea, best way for preservation. Although I back up some of the comments above, it would be perfect if it could be a library instead of a bookstore but it's better to be used in some way that not being used at all. This is absolutely gorgeous. Great idea, best way for preservation. Although I back up some of the comments above, it would be perfect if it could be a library instead of a bookstore but it’s better to be used in some way that not being used at all.

]]> By: Joolzy http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-169830 Joolzy Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:59:54 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-169830 Now that's one way to get more people to attend church! Absolutely love it. Now that’s one way to get more people to attend church!

Absolutely love it.

]]> By: Holy Spirit http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-163259 Holy Spirit Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:40 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-163259 Don't listen to God or Jesus... magnificent shop guys! Don’t listen to God or Jesus… magnificent shop guys!

]]> By: E. Michael Martin http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-150397 E. Michael Martin Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:21:41 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-150397 Well, Bill, I have no problem with the table. I think it can be viewed as a reminder of what that church is meant to represent. It doesn't have to be vertical with a body draped on it. I agree, however, that it should be a library. The space is breathtaking, and it should be made available for public use. Well, Bill, I have no problem with the table. I think it can be viewed as a reminder of what that church is meant to represent. It doesn’t have to be vertical with a body draped on it.

I agree, however, that it should be a library. The space is breathtaking, and it should be made available for public use.

]]> By: Carlos Eduardo http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-82018 Carlos Eduardo Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:41:53 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-82018 absolutely sublime absolutely sublime

]]> By: Bill http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-81469 Bill Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:26:07 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-81469 It's OK, but that crucifix table is really tasteless, why do architects have to be 'clever' for the sake of it sometimes, if they'd left that out it would have been a very classy effort. It’s OK, but that crucifix table is really tasteless, why do architects have to be ‘clever’ for the sake of it sometimes, if they’d left that out it would have been a very classy effort.

]]> By: TimeFlies http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-74730 TimeFlies Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:42:10 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-74730 Get a life, Jesus! The church in question was not "in service" since Napoleontic days; as the french took Maastricht, they confiscated most of the churches and threw out the clergy. This particular church served as a stable (for the horses of the regiment) for years, after which it saw another 200 years as storageroom, markethall, beergarden, bicycle-parking, partycenter. In the seventies of the last century it was almost completely hidden from view by the surrounding ugly concrete malls. As these where torn down a couple of years ago, the church was given a final chance for the better - as a bookshop, and a sublime one as that. Analyze that, Jesus! Get a life, Jesus!

The church in question was not “in service” since Napoleontic days; as the french took Maastricht, they confiscated most of the churches and threw out the clergy. This particular church served as a stable (for the horses of the regiment) for years, after which it saw another 200 years as storageroom, markethall, beergarden, bicycle-parking, partycenter. In the seventies of the last century it was almost completely hidden from view by the surrounding ugly concrete malls. As these where torn down a couple of years ago, the church was given a final chance for the better - as a bookshop, and a sublime one as that. Analyze that, Jesus!

]]> By: Hermann http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72654 Hermann Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:24 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72654 Gordon: You are right - and dead wrong at the same time. A church is just a building, but it is dedicated to the worship of God. In the concepts of antique Rome, it is "fanum" - sacred - while everything else, outside the "sacred precinct" is "pro-fanum". Ever wonder where the word profane came from? You are right, one cannot worship a church (although you can worship meteorites if you follow the right brand of monotheism). Think of a church as God's offices - an office, where the boss is always ready to see you. However, it is a sad fact that - if God is not in your heart already - you won't find hinm at church, either. - As to the design: Well, it could have been much worse. When the Nazis de-secrated churches, they put other things in the buildings than books (books can be so dangerous!). In one monastery I know of, they planned to convert the church into a swimming hall, with the toilets and the showers in the chancel ... how long will it take for some architect to come up with that as perfect solution for the next church-to-be-converted? Gordon: You are right - and dead wrong at the same time. A church is just a building, but it is dedicated to the worship of God. In the concepts of antique Rome, it is “fanum” - sacred - while everything else, outside the “sacred precinct” is “pro-fanum”. Ever wonder where the word profane came from? You are right, one cannot worship a church (although you can worship meteorites if you follow the right brand of monotheism). Think of a church as God’s offices - an office, where the boss is always ready to see you. However, it is a sad fact that - if God is not in your heart already - you won’t find hinm at church, either.

- As to the design: Well, it could have been much worse. When the Nazis de-secrated churches, they put other things in the buildings than books (books can be so dangerous!). In one monastery I know of, they planned to convert the church into a swimming hall, with the toilets and the showers in the chancel … how long will it take for some architect to come up with that as perfect solution for the next church-to-be-converted?

]]> By: Mary Kate http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72590 Mary Kate Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:55:52 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72590 I think it's tragic that church attendance has fallen enough for these magnificent churches not to be used in their original capacity, but if they're not going to be used as churches, it's better for them to be used as something, so the beautiful architecture will be kept in repair, than for them to be abandoned and to fall into ruin. And I'd much rather see a former church used as a bookstore than a dance club. There's nothing morally wrong with making it a bookstore, once it has been deconsecrated and the Blessed Sacrament isn't kept there anymore. At that point, it is simply a beautiful building, once Christ isn't there in the Eucharist anymore. I think it’s tragic that church attendance has fallen enough for these magnificent churches not to be used in their original capacity, but if they’re not going to be used as churches, it’s better for them to be used as something, so the beautiful architecture will be kept in repair, than for them to be abandoned and to fall into ruin.

And I’d much rather see a former church used as a bookstore than a dance club.

There’s nothing morally wrong with making it a bookstore, once it has been deconsecrated and the Blessed Sacrament isn’t kept there anymore. At that point, it is simply a beautiful building, once Christ isn’t there in the Eucharist anymore.

]]> By: Tim http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72462 Tim Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:05:52 +0000 http://www.dezeen.com/2007/12/04/a-shop-in-a-church-by-merkx-girod-architecten/#comment-72462 This makes Baby Jesus cry! This makes Baby Jesus cry!

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