New Life into Old Buildings

Worldwide many fewer churches are needed for religious services, so many are being repurposed—and the buildings have some great architectural features, neuroscience-wise.

In “As Hundreds of Churches Sit Empty, Some Become Hotels and Restaruants” (2024, The New York Times,https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/04/business/church-development-reuse.html ) Ellen Rosen writes that “With vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, the architectural features of churches have become huge draws for business owners. . . . Across the country, the number of empty churches and other houses of worship is sharply rising, and these structures, often unique architectural gems, have become huge draws for business owners. . . . Around the world, houses of worship have been converted to restaurants, breweries, hotels, art centers, theaters and even sports complexes. Some abandoned churches have been transformed into mixed-use developments, blending retail and residential space, and affordable housing.”

For information on the science of architectural elements such as ceiling height and room shape/size, see this article and this one. And if you’re interested in maintaining a spiritual space, read this article on the neuroscience of designing them.