De Kandelaar, Church building in Bijlmermeer, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
De Kandelaar is a church building in Bijlmermeer with four floors and central meeting halls. The structure contains five church spaces of varying sizes, with the largest accommodating 400 people, plus offices and a daycare on the ground floor.
Construction began in 2005 with the foundation piles and concluded with the official opening by Minister André Rouvoet in 2007. The completion allowed multiple faith communities to share one building.
De Kandelaar houses fifteen migrant churches from Amsterdam-Zuidoost, reflecting the neighborhood's diverse population. The different congregation spaces show how various communities shape and use this shared place together.
The building has ground-level access and different hall sizes allow events for groups of varying sizes. Its central location in Bijlmermeer makes it easily accessible by public transport.
Housing association Rochdale financed the construction while the Bijlmerkerk Foundation covered interior costs and guaranteed rent for the first five years. This partnership made the shared space economically viable.
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