Medical Research building University of Ghent (B)

The location is the campus site of the University of Ghent, a site which is made up of a collection of rather cheerless buildings that were built in the 1960s and 70s, of varying dimensions, in what is more or less a landscape setting. In the southwestern corner of the site, the University is planning to build a new medical research building in a vacant location. To this end, a design was created in the frame of a multiple study assignment. On the one hand, the design is in line with the scale of the surrounding, existing buildings as regards shape and construction height; on the other hand, the building’s location makes a bold planning statement in one corner of the University site. As a result of the chosen construction height and the desired programme, a rather long building has been created, which has been subdivided into four segments. The floor plan shows that these can be used as departmental compartments. Along the facades are the writing spaces, the meeting spaces and the offices. The labs have been situated in the middle section of the building, with daylight falling in through the façade zones and reaching the labs via transparent hall walls. The writing spaces and the labs can be positioned flexibly and can be subdivided into smaller or larger spaces. Between the compartments are intermediate sections with stairwells, elevators and general facilities. Here again, the entirely transparent facades and glass roofs provide for a lot of daylight. At the same time, these spaces function as a meeting place and a relaxation space for the employees. The facades refer to the human body’s blueprint, DNA. The designers have opted in favour of a free interpretation of a DNA helix using a random pattern of horizontal, coloured strips between vertical lines, which stretch along the façade. Window openings have been integrated in the façade, which have been randomly positioned in the spaces behind the facades, from floor to ceiling, resulting in interesting views of the surroundings. Natural, earth colours were used for the coloured facade strips: green, yellow, beige and brown. This lends a fresh look to the building. At the same time, the building does not encroach too much upon its surroundings.

This study assignment was created in the frame of a selection process for an architect. Our team EGM-LLOX was not selected.