Peters, WalterVerster, Wanda2016-01-112016-01-112013-02-012013-02-012013-02-01http://hdl.handle.net/11660/2130English: The aim of this study is to determine the extent of successful adaptations of church buildings in Bloemfontein. The reasons behind successful adaptation and behind the demolition of other churches are analysed through case studies. A background on the socio-political history, geographic location and the development of the design of religious architecture provides the context for the case study analysis. It was found that centralised auditorium churches, especially those designed for the Afrikaans Reformed Churches, between the 1930s and late 1950s are most likely to be demolished rather than be adapted. Modern designs, with linear elements and basic plans are more easily adapted to fulfil completely new functions. Less inherent symbolism in the design further improves the possibility of adaptation. The design of future buildings for religious worship should not necessarily abandon the symbolism associated with churches. The focus should rather be on designing buildings that can provide the atmosphere that facilitates the attention and sense of reverence needed in these spaces, whilst planned to be adaptable to different functions.Afrikaans: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die omvang van suksesvolle aanpassing van kerkgeboue in Bloemfontein te bepaal. Die redes vir die suksesvolle aanpassing asook dit wat tot die sloping van kerke lei is deur middel van gevalle studies geanaliseer. Agtergrond aangaande die sosio-politiese geskiedenis, geografiese ligging en die ontwikkeling van die ontwerp van religieuse argitektuur verskaf die nodige konteks vir die gevallestudie-analise. Daar is gevind dat gesentraliseerde ouditoriumkerke, veral die wat tussen die 1930s en laat 1950s vir die Afrikaanse Gereformeerde Kerke ontwerp is, gewoonlik gesloop word, eerder as om hergebruik of aangepas te word. Moderne ontwerpe, met liniêere elemente en basiese planne word makliker vir totaal nuwe funksies aangepas. Minder inherente simboliek in die ontwerp verhoog die moontlikheid van aanpassing. Die ontwerp van toekomstige geboue vir religieuse aanbidding hoef nie noodwendig die simboliek wat met kerke geassosieer word, prys te gee nie. Daar moet eerder gefokus word om geboue te ontwerp wat die nodige atmosfeer vir aandag en eerbied in hierdie ruimtes kan skep, terwyl dit so beplan moet word dat dit vir verskillende funksies aangepas kan word.enDissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2013Church buildings -- HistoryChurch architecture -- South Africa -- Free State -- BloemfonteinProtestant church buildings -- South Africa -- Free State -- BloemfonteinArchitecture and religionBloemfonteinRedundancyMulti-functionalDesignAfrikaans Reformed ChurchesChurchRe-useAdaptationDissertationUniversity of the Free State