Renovation and transformation of the historic landmark buildings of a former hospital – dating from the 16th and 19th Centuries – into music spaces for the Bijloke music centre.

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Location   De Bijloke, Belgium. Historic landmark building.

Project Cost   Non available.

Time Frame   Beginning of design in 2006, start of construction 2007, opened in February 2008. Completion of second phase in November 2011.

Owner   De Bijloke City of Ghent.

Architect(s)   Architectuuratelier Oswald Van De Sompel, Ghent.

Artist   Ara Starck (Second phase).

Theatre Planner(s)   TTAS Office, Marc Lambert & Pieter De Kimpe.

Seat Count   Conversion of the 16th century Kraakhuis hospital hall into a minimalist historic 250-seat room. Renovation and adaptation of the 19th century anatomic 100-seat theatre of the Bijloke campus for lectures and film projections.
Total area 4 000 m².

Uses   Concerts, chamber music, recitals, jazz, dance, conference.

Services   Acoustic concept and acoustical consulting throughout the project. Second phase: Provision of retractable bleecher seating and acoustic curtain installation in ceiling vault, providing variable acoustics at the push of a button. Designed in collaboration with artist Ara Starck.

Team   Thomas Wulfrank, Project Manager, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics.