ArchStacks

Lic — Brussels ‌. Ixelles

· Brussels, Belgium

A new Study Center designed to foster collaboration and innovation at the heart of two university campuses in Brussels.

Exterior view of a contemporary study center building with a glass and panel façade, set in a landscaped area.
A modern building with a dynamic façade featuring large windows and a mix of light and dark panels, surrounded by greenery and other structures.
exterior
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Architects

Location

Lic — Brussels ‌. Ixelles

A vibrant hub for learning and collaboration

The newly opened Study Center at the junction of two university campuses in Brussels serves as a strategic and symbolic link within the academic landscape. This compact, transparent building unites library facilities, auditoria, classrooms, workspaces, and offices, establishing a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation.

The architectural concept emphasizes clarity and spatial efficiency, featuring dynamic façades that create an inviting presence from every angle. At the heart of the design is a sunken central rotunda, which acts as a public square, anchoring circulation flows between the previously disconnected institutions. The building encourages interaction through dual circulation paths: a slow, informal route that meanders through communal areas and a fast vertical route designed for efficient movement.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project, with the nearly energy-neutral building employing passive design strategies alongside renewable energy systems, including natural night ventilation and heat pumps. A striking ecological feature is the on-site helophyte filter that naturally purifies wastewater, exemplifying a commitment to closed-loop environmental thinking.

The choice of durable and partly renewable materials, coupled with a flexible internal structure, supports long-term adaptability and minimizes lifecycle impact. User comfort and well-being were central to the design process, ensuring generous daylight, acoustic care, universal accessibility, and intuitive wayfinding, all of which contribute to a welcoming environment for studying, teaching, meeting, and research.

Developed in close collaboration with campus stakeholders, the Study Center transcends functional performance, emerging as a social catalyst and the new heart of the university. It strengthens connections between students, researchers, and staff, while shaping a forward-looking academic community.

Design Highlights

  • Compact and transparent building design

  • Dynamic façades for an inviting presence

  • Sunken central rotunda as a public square

  • Dual circulation paths for interaction and efficiency

  • Nearly energy-neutral with renewable energy systems

  • On-site helophyte filter for wastewater purification

  • Durable and renewable materials for sustainability

  • Focus on user comfort and well-being

Key Facts

Feature Details
Architect evr – architecten
Location Brussels, Ixelles
Building Type Study Center
Sustainability Nearly energy-neutral
Key Features Central rotunda, dual circulation

Programs

AuditoriaClassroomsLibraryOfficesStudy CenterWorkspaces

Categories

Educationalsustainable architecture

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