Living Campus Gebouw De Nayer
The campus De Nayer in Sint-Katelijne Waver operates under the umbrella of the Thomas More University of Applied Sciences and the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL). Currently it resembles a kind of humdrum business park, a seemingly random collection of utilitarian buildings set within an abundance of surface car parking. It does not establish a meaningful relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape, nor with the fine-grained residential tissue around the train station nearby.
All that is set to change with the implementation of a masterplan which proposes to move car parking off-campus, define a central square for students and establish a green boundary zone mediating between the school and the neighbouring fields and meadows.
It is with these ambitions in mind that we propose a design for the conversion of an existing building at a strategic location. Accommodating the main university offices and student facilities, it is set to spearhead the complicated process of campus regeneration.
Fleshing out an existing structure
We reimagine the existing building completely. While preserving its bare bones, we strip out the non-load bearing walls and façades. We compose new rooms and spaces according to the requirements of the brief and plot new circulation routes through the three-dimensional grid of the existing structure.
We demolish some parts of the structure and reinforce it elsewhere. In order to accommodate the desired floor area we enlarge the building’s footprint and add an additional floor using a lightweight structure. The added height produces a more articulated presence towards the new square, in accordance with its importance as the main building on campus.
In our re-use we seek to exploit the spatial margins found in the existing structure. We “flatten” a split-level, putting the raised floor to use as a plenum space for ventilation. An outdoor courtyard is to be roofed over, creating a central atrium. This becomes a vibrant, oversized circulation space from where the different floors can be reached via generous staircases. Here we also expose the services of the building, demonstrating its functioning to the students who are receiving a practice-based STEM-education here.
Facing the outside
We dress up the building in a completely new façade composed of aluminium panels, giving the building a uniform image consistent with the technological disciplines being taught inside. For the different elevations we apply the same elements in varying constellations, responding to the orientation—a case of unity in diversity. East and west façades sport vertical louvres, the south facing elevation features horizontal screens and the northern elevation has no protruding elements at all.
On the ground floor a sprawling multifunctional space integrates the reception and student canteen, among less functionally determinate lounge zones which can be used as spillover or event spaces. This continuous interior landscape becomes a prime meeting and gathering spot, proliferating between the green square and the main entrance at the new passageway. At the square a secondary entrance is complemented by an outdoor spiral staircase which forms an inviting sculptural flourish to the building.
The building further accommodates classrooms as well as the learning centre with library and the admin offices. We carefully plan out the construction into different phases by dividing the building plan into four quadrants and moving the functions around the building as construction progresses—avoiding the need for temporary accommodation off-site. As such this “Living Campus Building’ never stops operating even during construction, anticipating the vibrant student life it will support when completed.
