AN innovative design, 'Church on a Cloud' has won a competition to heat a Cathedral in the Netherlands by housing a data centre in its cellars.
The design from architect Geert Van der Aa won the Holy Warming innovation competition, with the best idea for the Saint Bavo Cathedral, which is undergoing restoration work.

The architect proposed to have a data centre for a commercial company housed in the cellars of the Cathedral, where the naturally cold air from the church would keep the data centre cool. The heated air from the basement would then be returned to the church to give the building a pleasant temperature.

The sustainable design beat off competition from more than 40 proposals that were submitted from leading construction companies, building experts, architects and creative teams. Van der Aa received a cheque for €5,000 from the event organisers, Nudge, for his design. To see the plans click here.