Gorgeous 15th-Century Church Renovated as a Modern Bookstore in The Netherlands

This gorgeous 15th century Dominican church was <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-church-renovated-into-modern-bookstore/" target="_blank">renovated</a> into a modern-day bookstore in the Dutch city of Zwolle. Utrecht-based <a href="http://www.bkpunt.nl/index.php?home/page/oquirey#0" target="_blank">BK. Architecten</a> designed a 700-square-meter shopping area on three added floors that can be removed in the future without damaging the existing building. The modern stained glass windows, designed by Norwegian artist Kjell Nupen, allow natural light to enter the interior and provide customers with a clear view of the entire area.

Two architects, Jos Burger and Wouter Keijzer of BK. Architecten, in charge of the renovation of the old church decided to preserve the atmosphere and feeling of the existing place.

The architects spatially intervened without diminishing the building's historical value.

The three new floors were placed in the side wing of the church, between the original pillars, outside the central ship.

The new construction is statically independent and can be removed without having to demolish the building.

The architects used three colors and white for the plastering work, keeping the main color palette warm.

The main design tool when organizing the space was to get customers to the top floor.