Architect lowered floor by 1.2m to improve acoustic at former infirmary

DRDH_Bijloke_LR

Source: Karin Borghouts

The 13th-century hall was originally built as an infirmary

DRDH Architects has completed the £4m renovation of a unique concert venue in a 13th-century gothic hall in Flanders.

The hall at Ghent’s former Bijloke Abbey hospital, which was converted into a music centre in the 1980s, was originally built as an infirmary at a time when the Belgian city was the second-biggest in Europe north of the Alps, after Paris.

After a €4.6m (£4.15m) transformation in collaboration with heritage consultant Julian Harrap Architects and acoustician Arup, the venue will now be able to accommodate up to 830 concert-goers and host world-class performances.

The previous concert hall had poor sound despite the use of electro-acoustic enhancements. The new scheme has done away with the need for these with a series of physical interventions. These included moving the stage 5m towards the centre of the room and lowering the floor by 1.2m, increasing the room’s volume by around 13% and improving accessibility.

DRDH_Bijloke_Copyright Karin Borghouts_01_The facade of the listed 13th century building

Source: Karin Borghouts

DRDH’s new concert hall at the Muziekcentrum de Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium - The facade of the listed 13th-century building

The medieval walls, which had splayed out over time under the weight of the vaulted timber roof, pushing the sound up, have been lined with fumed oak to redirect the sound and contribute to a more intimate atmosphere. All the historic entrance doors have been reinstated.

DRDH_Bijloke_Model photo

Source: DRDH

DRDH’s new concert hall at the Muziekcentrum de Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium - model

The project is the centrepiece of a wider €7m (£6.4m) masterplan for the complex which has already seen the conversion of a former entrance space into a cafe bar and jazz venue designed by Flemish designers Studio Helder and Onbetaalbaar, who created furniture from recycled elements of the previous concert hall.

DRDH_Bijloke_Axonometric

Source: DRDH

DRDH’s new concert hall at the Muziekcentrum de Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium - axo

DRDH_Bijloke_Copyright Karin Borghouts_03_View from stage

Source: Karin Borghouts

DRDH’s new concert hall at the Muziekcentrum de Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium - view from the stage

DRDH_Bijloke_Copyright Karin Borghouts_05_Choir seats

Source: Karin Borghouts

DRDH’s new concert hall at the Muziekcentrum de Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium - choir seats