Native structure studio Archipelago has reworked a Brutalist former put up workplace in Belgium right into a studying centre, stripping it right down to reveal its “spacious, beneficiant and vibrant” interiors.
Positioned in Louvain-la-Neuve, the constructing was renovated for the Middle d'enseignement supérieur en Brabant wallon (CPFB), an training heart linked to the College of Louvain that focuses on social growth.
Initially designed as a put up workplace by André Jacqman and since present process a sequence of modifications, the Archipelago sought to carry the unique spatial and materials readability again to the concrete construction to adapt to its new use.
“The constructing is spacious, beneficiant and vibrant,” venture architect Sophie Laborde informed Dezeen. “Once we took it over, after quite a few adjustments, it was over-compartmentalized to accommodate a useful program on the expense of the location's structure.”
“The primary process was to strip the constructing, to get well the concrete that might be recovered, to rediscover the colour of the brick,” she continued.
“The intention of the venture is to return the constructing to its pristine situation as a lot as attainable, whereas offering it with the technological and thermal consolation it can want for the following 30 years.”
The essential idea for the CPFB was to create what Laborde calls a “stimulating and collaborative studying area”, which Archipelago sought to realize via versatile areas that would not have strict features.
Coming into a communal social space on the bottom flooring, a sequence of multi-functional areas, together with some work and bigger rooms, open onto the adjoining sq..
Above, a collaboration space and auditorium areas sit alongside the administration space, assembly room and a recording studio.
“As a way to adapt to new studying strategies, we suggest to eradicate the everlasting task of a spot to a perform – with the attainable exception of sure places of work,” mentioned Laborde.
“Capabilities are cell and other people transfer in accordance with the exercise they should do to seek out the fitting place. We’re going to outline locations, strongly characterised, designed to accommodate makes use of.”
The concrete and brick finishes of the unique construction have been left uncovered, with the addition of wood-framed glass partitions, coloured flooring and uncovered air flow and lighting.
“As soon as the unique supplies have been recovered, a easy concrete screed is poured to revive the dominant colour,” defined Laborde. “The joinery was lightened to distinction with the prevailing black, and the yellow of the staircase contrasted with the pink of the brick.”
“Distinction enhances current options, and graphic colours carry them to life,” she added.
One other latest venture that sought to reassess the worth of Belgium's modernist structure was Mamout's conversion of a 1960s home in Hoeilaart, which equally eliminated later extensions to spotlight its authentic design.
Photograph by Johnny Umans.