The challenge in creating an art center for the municipality of Aalter consisted of transforming the existing shell spaces into an open, technically and acoustically effective building. An additional challenge was the fact that the building consisted of 2 floors below ground level.
It was decided to retain all structural beams and columns and to place the entire building in a monotonous concrete-grey base. An open building for users and visitors with maximum visual interaction and daylight on all levels. Colour is used to define the public areas. As well as a slide to explore the youth library at -1.
The main purpose of art is still to connect people, which is why this new arts center is so important.
The available space in the building consisted of the ground floor and 1 floor, plus two basement floors. Taking into account that classrooms should enjoy daylight, part of the puzzle was already filled in. Smaller academy classrooms and those of the visual arts are therefore to be found at +1. But working with a building half of which is dark and underground was obviously not an option. Hence the choice to save light shafts at strategic places, as well as an auditorium that is two floors high.
Another challenge posed by the shell building was that it consisted of a forest of columns. These concrete structures were left in their brutality and integrated into the interior by matching the rest of the building in a monotonous concrete-grey colour.
Classically, academies are often found behind closed doors and libraries are rather dull, quiet and closed spaces. This was avoided here at all costs. All the classrooms were visually linked to the corridor in order to create interaction. After all, everyone who walks through the building must be able to see, feel and hear what is happening, so that they get triggered to participate themselves.
A courtyard at -1 was applied in order to get extra daylight on the two underground levels. A monumental staircase without supports leads directly from the street to the music rooms on the -1 and, on serves as an escape route, but also can be used as a grandstand during performances in open air. For those waiting inside, there are seats provided in the large window openings. It turns the corridor into part of the outdoor space in an oasis of daylight. The library has been adapted to today's needs and is certainly not a quiet one. There are quiet corners, but the children's library was deliberately set apart at -1 and which can be, apart from the stairs, also reached it by slide. This playful approach triggers extra visitors who might otherwise never go to the library.
Integrated light shafts ensure that views to an upper or lower floor are offered from every corner. In the auditorium, a large window is provided in dialogue with the foyer. This black space catches the eye thanks to the colourful benches. No separate theatre seats but long benches in which separate seating areas are suggested by a colour or stitching inspired by Anni Albers' textile art.
The brass accents in the façade and interior are a reference to the brass and other musical instruments. In terms of colour scheme, a monotonous concrete-grey colour was chosen throughout the building. On the other hand, accent colours were used consistently in order to create clarity. Thus, sanitary areas are blue, red for everything related to fire safety, green for doors accessible to the public, and yellow for the customized furniture of the youth library.
This project is a good example of how an existing structure can be changed into a contemporary space for culture, library and academy. How architecture/interior can embrace flows an generate a new way of thinking and using classical formats such as a library. How color is used to make the daily use of a building readable. How a complex concrete structure which wasn't designed for this function can be converted to a wonderful strong, logical and above light public building, due to all its challenges...
