ATIS - CAMPUS SOLBOSCH
LOCATION
Brussels, Belgium
CLIENT
ULB
AREA
4 759 sqm above grounD
PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY
PROJECT
2022
STATUS
Built
© Nathalie Van Eygen
In 2018, ULB launched a design and construction competition for the extension of the U Building, won by A2RC and Valens, focusing on sustainability, modular construction, and seamless integration with the existing architecture.
To welcome translators and interpreters to the Solbosch campus, ULB organized, at the end of 2018, a design and construction competition for the extension of the U Building, which was won by A2RC in partnership with Valens. The project adheres to the formal symmetry that defines the design of the U Building, a structural principle that imparts strength and unity to the site. The extension, subtly adapted to the presence of the technical hopper facades, discreetly continues the extension designed by A2RC for the ISA Victor Horta, ensuring a seamless continuity and harmony with the existing structure.
The focus is placed on the heart of the building, a central point that emphasizes the symmetry axis, while engaging in a subtle dialogue with the silhouette of the iconic Solbosch tower. Serving as a bridge connecting the different faculties, this extension functions both as a discreet crown for the building and as an element characterized by rhythm, created through a play of frames and panels arranged in shadow boxes, concealing the essential technical installations required by the chemistry laboratories.
Classrooms and language laboratories are positioned along the exterior facades, taking full advantage of natural light and scenic views. The interior corridors run alongside the courtyards, providing spatial orientation with views of these outdoor spaces. The areas designated for teachers and researchers are located in a separate wing, away from the classrooms, ensuring the peace and quiet necessary for research work. A multifunctional room serves as the link between these two groups.
Finally, the project posed specific technical challenges: rapid construction, adherence to ULB's environmental commitments, and the need to maintain laboratory equipment in operation during the work. The project addresses these challenges by choosing a modular wooden construction, pre-assembled in the workshop, offering an exemplary model of sustainability. The glued laminated timber structure enables fast assembly, providing not only protection from the rain but also a timely enhancement of the chemical laboratory extractors, with perfect coordination between the requirements of the site and the needs of the occupants.
