Page 53 - AGC_EN_iBook

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ThE aULa MaGNa aND aGC GLaSS BUILDING IN LOUVaIN-La-NEUVE
The AGC Glass Building is the second white building made from glass in Louvain-la-Neuve. It was logical for the European head- quarters of the largest glass manufacturer in the world that the design for the new building should be glass-based. The choice of glass is also in keeping with the evolution of the many years of facade studies carried out by Philippe Samyn for the purpose of managing natural light in the best possible manner, in order to achieve optimal comfort (see the Introduction).
But the choice of a white glass building at this particular location also had another reason, one that has its origins in the earlier reali- zation of the Aula Magna project (01-291, 1996-2001).This second reason has important spatial and planning implications, relating to the importance of constructing buildings that match the genius loci.
In many Belgian towns and cities it is possible to see how distinct parts of the urban centre were built at different times and in dif- ferent materials: for example, traditional brick-based architecture, sometimes dating from the medieval era, but also white-plastered buildings typical of the late eighteenth century. This alternation of materials is a characteristic feature of our building tradition and culture. Viewed by some as Belgian surrealism, it is the determin- ing factor for the visual image of our cityscapes.
This tradition still exists and is often even visible in the smallest of all construction units: the individual house or building. It is not uncommon for the street facade to be built in brick, while parts of the back are made from wood or stucco. And just as contrasting materials make up these individual buildings, so the same prin- ciple has been applied to the AGC Glass Building: the peripheral facades are fully glazed, while the internal patios are nished in wood.
Louvain-la-Neuve has a long tradition of erecting buildings exclu- sively in brick, with a coherence and absolute purity that is seldom found elsewhere in Belgium.The construction of an important cultural building like the Aula Magna in a radically different style not only had signi cant planning implications, but also a strong cultural impact on the relatively small city centre.The Aula Magna can be regarded as the rst white structure in Louvain-la-Neuve,
a proposal that was welcomed with unanimous approval by deci- sion-makers some 20 years ago.
If the Aula Magna is the ‘white lady’ in the heart of Louvain-la- Neuve, then the AGC Glass Building – standing alongside the most important gateway into the city – can be seen as her ‘big brother’.
aula magna (1996-2001) aGC Glass Building (2011-2013)
auLa maGNa aGC GLASS euROPe (2001) (2013)