Reimagining Spaces: What Europe Can Teach Us About Repurposing Facilities

Transforming facilities from one purpose to another is commonplace in some countries. In most cases in New Zealand, we do this re-purposing because it is identified as the quickest and cheapest option to increase supply in a network (think warehouse to indoor courts). In other countries, heritage preservation and reducing carbon emissions are also overt drivers of re-purposing.

On a recent trip to Europe, I was lucky enough to spend some time with Oliver Vanges from The Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities as he talked through its vision for reimagining available spaces for sport and recreation. Oliver was so giving of his time to yet another person from “downunder” and it was much appreciated. Those of you who attended the Master Class in Ōtautahi /Christchurch last week would have seen the example shown in the photo which Oliver was gracious enough to show me; a Dance Studio that was once a Crematorium. A beautiful building that has retained its character and now used predominantly for modern dance. A marvellous community facility. We need to think outside of the box for solutions in these times.