Thomas Coomans

Thomas Coomans is a faculty member at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation. His research centers on architectural history, heritage conservation, and the architectural legacy of religious buildings, with a particular focus on church architecture, monastic structures, and the cross-cultural exchange between Belgium and China during the late imperial and modern periods.

His research interests include Architectural History, Heritage Conservation, Church Architecture, Medieval Architecture, Cistercian and Mendicant Orders Architecture, Urbanism, Adaptive Reuse of Religious Buildings, Secularization and Urban Transformation, Belgian-Chinese Architectural Exchange, Gothic Architecture, Monastic Architecture, Building Archaeology, and Tree-Ring Dating in Architecture.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong thematic focus on the evolution of sacred spaces, the historiography of medieval and Gothic architecture in Belgium and the Low Countries, and the cultural dynamics of religious architecture in both European and transnational contexts. His work frequently combines architectural analysis with historical, archaeological, and socio-cultural inquiry, particularly in studies of Cistercian nunneries, mendicant friaries, and the transformation of religious buildings after secularization. A recurring theme is the interplay between national identity, regionalism, and international networks in shaping architectural heritage.

Notable Scientific Contributions:

• Extensive research on Cistercian architecture and monastic heritage
• Pioneering work on the export of Flemish Gothic architecture to China
• Studies on the reuse and perception of church ruins from Romanticism to the present
• Documentation and analysis of Belgian monumental restoration plans
• Investigations into medieval urban architectural development in the Low Countries

Thomas Coomans has not only contributed to academic discourse through his publications but also through editorial roles and participation in international conferences, such as the Masterplanning the Future conference. His collaborative work with scholars like Martin Drouin, Reinout Klaarenbeek, and others highlights his engagement in interdisciplinary and international research networks. He has also contributed to heritage policy discussions, particularly regarding the protection of 19th-century churches in Flanders and the integrated heritage approach in Brussels.

Labs and Research Groups:

• Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation (RLICC), KU Leuven
• Research group on Architectural History and Heritage within the Department of Architecture