Kunstencentrum Vooruit

Vooruit has been one of the Flemish Community’s seven art institutions entrusted with the task of being a pioneer in the Flemish art landscape since 2017. The building, which is now more than a hundred years old, has been modified several times due to its different occupants. Originally it contained a concert hall and a theatre. Dial Architects have incorporated the building’s history into the new concept, i.e. the master plan for the entire building includes a number of references to the 'ballroom'. A typical example is the diamond shape, a symbol that is repeated in the façade as well as in some of the ceiling and floor structures. The centre is divided into three sections: the public space as a 'front stage', general operations and administration as a 'backstage', and in between the residences with an open studio. The three sections offer old and new (work)spaces spread across the entire building, based on the concept of flexible workspaces. In addition to the prominent red central staircase, the architects provide a spatial framework that employees can allocate and occupy in line with their specific requirements.

This project was opened on the occasion of the 2019 Day of Architecture. The text is based on a contribution by Selin Geerinckx.