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BEL061 – ART COLLEGE

BEL061 – ART COLLEGE

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Concept – New Educational and Arts Building 1. Compact, Functional Layout The building has a square footprint (27.4 × 27.4 m) rotated 28° relative to the existing C-building, optimizing solar orientation, natural daylight, and minimal circulation. A wedge-shaped space between the new and existing buildings preserves the courtyard and mature trees. 2. Logical Stacking of Functions Lower Level: Semi-submerged gym and dance spaces near the entrance, suitable for external use outside school hours. Ground Floor: Open-plan entrance and multifunctional hall; mezzanine refectory overlooks this space. First & Second Floors: Duplex classrooms for foundational education, organized into four “nests,” each with six classrooms. Top Floor: Atelier level for arts, music, media, and architecture, fully north-lit, with transparent partitions to encourage cross-disciplinary interaction. 3. Entrance & Vertical Circulation Main entrance located strategically between new and existing buildings, connecting horizontal and vertical circulation. Central spiral staircase with skylight and a spacious lift for accessibility and moving large objects. Emergency stairs included. 4. Multifunctional Spaces Double-height hall at the entrance with flexible zones for events, exhibitions, presentations, theater, or small concerts. Refectory/mezzanine overlooks the hall, with an open layout suitable for both daily student use and large events. Gallery and outdoor areas blend play, greenery, and biodiversity with a partially water-permeable surface. 5. Materiality & Structure Robust, low-maintenance interior materials: polibeton floors, concrete or glazed walls, acoustical ceilings. Prefab concrete structure with full-height beams; industrial-style top atelier floor with perforated steel deck. Custom-designed furniture by the team ensures consistency and functionality. 6. Facade & Transparency Concrete colonnade supports the upper floor, shades classrooms, and mediates inside/outside spaces. North/South façades glazed to capture daylight; East/West façades mostly closed to avoid glare. Atelier level features external sunshading; façade layering balances verticality (base) and horizontal lightness (atelier). 7. Integration with Existing Campus Existing C-building renovated: gym retained as quiet/computer rooms, old storage converted into first-aid space, and former locker rooms transformed into administrative offices. 8. Educational Philosophy The building emphasizes transparency, cross-disciplinary learning, and light-filled creative spaces, fostering student interaction, inspiration, and engagement with arts and performance.

Architect

BEL ARCHITECTEN + DHOORE VANWEERT ARCHITECTEN + DOORZON INTERIEURARCHITECTEN

Team

BEL ARCHITECTEN + DHOORE VANWEERT ARCHITECTEN + DOORZON INTERIEURARCHITECTEN, UTIL, DELTHA

Client

PROVINCIE LIMBURG

Program

ARTS COLLEGE, EXHIBITION SPACES

4500

Budget

4.994.538 €

Location

HASSELT

Year

2020

Status

COMPETITION

Photos

BEL ARCHITECTEN, DHOORE VANWEERT ARCHITECTEN