New Centre for the Belgian Art Scene

New Centre for the Belgian Art Scene

Buda Art Center

A former textile factory transforms into an art centre.

A pavilion of yellow bricks marks the entrance of the Buda Art Center. The architects of 51N4E converted the former textile factory in the Belgian city of Kortrijk into an art centre with studio and exhibition premises. Situated at the heart of the city, the building forms the new centre of the small art metropolis. 

Two Polygons

 The design is characterized by two essential aspects. In the middle of the building, the architects cut a large 'hole': a pentagonal shaft lets incident light flow down to the ground floor. From this public area, via a staircase, the visitors access four floors that contain an art laboratory, premises for music events, multifunctional rooms in different sizes and a roof terrace. The second aspect is the pavilion that is visible from the street. Being the entrance area, it forms the threshold to the interior. The special thing about it is that a large joint separates the old and new building into two detached building parts. 

Communication with the Environment

 The yellow bricks contrast the adjacent houses and are actually the reused material from the old building. Hence, a large building could be realized with a small budget. The art building is very reserved towards the outside, and is strongly oriented towards the inside instead. Besides the entrance, only the roof terrace connects visually to the city. The architects intended to create a new type of public space with the building; the building is not supposed to create an image. But an environment.

Project details

Architect:

51N4E

Status:

completed: 2012

Size:

4.240 m²

Constructor:

BAS/Dirk Jaspaert; Studiebureau Boydens

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