376-Museum of the dialogue (Catholic University of Louvain)

– Architecture
– Construction management
– Interior design
– Mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering
– Project management

The Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) wishes to extend its museum located in the Descamps building, where the current museum collection is presented on only 1.400 sqm of exhibition space. The UCL would like to see it extended to about 4.000 sqm, which is not possible in its existing location.

Unbuilt land is still available between the Aula Magna, the Descamps building, the “Grand Place” and the cinema complex. In this location, the museum has to provide a visual link with the Aula Magna from the  Grand Place. The plot is therefore divided into two parts, allowing a covered gallery centered on the main axis of the Aula Magna to step down from the “Grand Place” to the “Place Raymond Lemaire”. The museum becomes the portal to the Aula Magna.

The center of Louvain-la-Neuve is mainly pedestrian. It is built on two levels of car park infrastructure, the second basement level also being dedicated to vehicule circulation.

Adressing the surrounding organization of the circulations, the museum consists of two wings (called “Triangle” and “Boot” because of their shape), both developed over several levels above and below pedestrian groundlevel. The 1st basement connects both wings together underneath the pedestrian groundlevel. The technical and service rooms are located in the second basement underneath the “Triangle”-wing, while access from the car park is allowed in the spaces underneath the “Boot”-wing.

Particular attention was paid to the museum promenade. The main entrance is located in the’Triangle’-wing. On the side of the Grand Place, the entrance is distributed so that access is possible from both “Rue de I’Hocaille” and “Rue Raymond Lemaire”. Each wing hosts an atrium stretching over all levels, and is provided with deambulatory stairs, part of the museum promenade, as well as two safety stairs at the extremities of the buildings. In the “Triangle”-wing, the atrium houses the deambulatory stairs, while in the “Boot”-wing, they are located under a glazed roof that creates a slit of light alongside the parting wall with the cinema complex.

Springing across the exterior gallery on the top level, a clear glass-encased footbrige connects both wings and completes the loop that, from the first basement to the roof, allows visitors to freely organize their visit without backtracking.

The ceiling height of all the levels is 405 cm in the “Triangle”-wing, and 540 cm in the “Boot”-wing to allow the introduction of mezzanines in order to create different types of exhibition spaces. Providing the zenithal lighting necessary to the exhibition surfaces is achieved by creating a thin strip of horizontal openings at ceiling height along all facades. To offer visitors occasional distraction from the exhibits, views to the ouside are provided through the atria on the “Rue Raymond Lemaire”, and through the three large bays that look out towards the lake.

The work spaces – offices, studios and the library – are distributed over all levels to provide good surveillance without the need for additional security. The windows in these spaces are placed at a traditional working height with a parapet of 85 cm height. The facade on “Rue de l’Hocaille” is further enlivened by a large (shop)-window in order to animate the street.

The “Rue Raymond Lemaire” is covered by large glazed roof which joins the two wings, protects the glazed facades of the atria, and shelters the area leading to the main entrance of the museum.

based on a text by Philippe Samyn and Pierre Loze.

Document E41_01/376 -En Issue of 2009-03-26

Andres Fernandez.