The KAAN office reorganized the new library and the art academy within the former École des Pupilles. The project consists of an open stacking of boxes arranged along an L-shaped strip, partially enclosing the square where the historic building stands. Each box contains classrooms of the academy. A central atrium, generously lit from above, connects these volumes and houses an open library. The new building, entirely made of cast-in-place concrete with 30 cm walls and slabs, presents structural challenges related to the stacking of rooms and the large spans. The walls are used as beams wherever possible, supporting the upper levels while preserving the impression of “floating boxes.” Some loads are transferred by doubled or suspended elements to maintain thin slabs and reduce the number of visible beams, while still meeting the demanding requirements of a public building and a library. Design & Build project

Nominated for European Mies van der Rohe Award 2019 : New construction of a library and academy, Aalst (KAAN-15-AAL), architect : KAAN architecten

Architectuurprijs Oost-Vlaanderen 2019 Construction of a library and academy, Aalst (KAAN-15-AAL), architect : KAAN architecten