In 2025, Fondere Architects was commissioned by the Parish of Saint Ursula to develop a comprehensive design brief for the renovation of the Adelbert Church and its adjoining presbytery in Delft. The design brief provides a clear framework for transforming the complex into a welcoming, well-functioning and future-proof church for the Martha & Maria community.
The design brief was developed through a careful and participatory process. Site visits, spatial analysis and in-depth discussions with the project group, young people, representatives of the Municipality of Delft and parishioners during themed consultation evenings created a shared understanding of the building, its current use and the collective ambitions for the future. These insights were translated into clear spatial, functional and atmospheric design principles.
These principles were tested through a series of alternative design scenarios for both the interior and the wider church complex, visualised in 3D concept sketches. The scenarios ranged from substantial renovations to targeted, small-scale interventions. For each option, opportunities and constraints were carefully assessed. During follow-up themed evenings, the scenarios were reviewed and discussed with parishioners, resulting in clear preferences, broad support and a strong sense of shared ownership in the next steps of the project.
The outcomes of this collaborative process were consolidated in the final design brief. For each activity and space, the design brief defines required floor areas, capacities, spatial relationships, functional requirements and the desired atmosphere.
Through this process, Fondere Architects worked closely with the client and the community to establish a strong and inspiring foundation for the next design phase and for the long-term future of the Adelbert Church.
“The meetings of the project group, the themed evenings with parishioners and the sessions with young people from the parish were prepared and conducted by Fondere Architects in a professional and pleasant manner.
Questions and comments were taken seriously and, where relevant, incorporated into the design brief.
This design brief provides a solid basis for all stakeholders to move forward.”
Marja Bocxe, Chair, Martha & Maria Core Group, Member of the Adelbert Church Renovation Project Group
