Campus Paardenmarkt wins Heritage Jewel 2023
The expert jury awarded the UAntwerp Paardenmarkt site because it is a real model file:
- The project was thoughtfully tackled, consistently implemented and realised in a short time.
- The adaptation of a severely outdated school building into a contemporary educational institution presented many challenges.
- Yet an appropriate solution was sought for each challenge while preserving the heritage value.
- The University of Antwerp turned an unstructured building complex into a coherent whole where it is pleasant to study again.
Renovation
The historic education site Paardenmarkt underwent extensive renovation and restoration over the past four years. The various detached buildings were linked by ingenious canopies and found passages into a beautiful whole with an eye for sustainability. (read more)
Colleague Barbara Arts looks back on the project and remembers that adapting the historical buildings to current thermal and acoustic comfort requirements while not losing sight of the heritage value of the campus and the guidelines of Immovable Heritage was the biggest challenge for her.
Fire
In terms of fire engineering, the team also had a nice task ahead of them. They are confident that their advice will allow students to move safely between the old and new building parts.
Circular
The Paardenmarkt site was part of the subsidised research project "School building projects put out to tender circularly? Yes we can!" from Flanders Circular. Colleague Katrien Van Lierop and the UA hope to use their lessons learned to encourage a broad (construction) public to build more circularly.
BB'ers
Our colleagues have worked diligently and passionately to give this valuable heritage a sustainable future. They deserve this place in the spotlight: Barbara Arts, Bert van den Bergh, Glenn Verdyck, Gretel De Smet, Katrien Van Lierop, Katie Van der Borght and Nadja Van Houten.