Andenne’s Cultural Center’s extension has not been designed as a single appendice filling a lack of space but was rather thought as an opportunity to deal with complex problematic which were restraining the fullfilment of the building. Indeed, its situation in a disparate urban fabric, between supermarket and parking area, didn’t give approriate visibility and accessibility to the Center. At the same time, this location reveals a great potential on the landscape scale. On the banks of the river, the site is perceivable from the main road between Liège and Namur.
From the Meuse's bridge
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
Label architecture, therefore, choose to have a situated approach capitalising the suburb’s condition. By setting a tall volume on the banks, the project initiates visual relationships with its environment, as a signal on the road.
From the Meuse's bridge
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
A first low volume, as a base, links the existing performing arts hall to the new building. Hidden below a bank, it offers a new entrance and lobby to the Cultural Center. Above, the new functions – a dance studio, a music classroom, an administrative department and facilities – are combined in a four-floor unit, giving to the Center its architectural identity.
From the other Meuse's side
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
This project has been designed to allow harmonious cohabitation between the different users – the audience of events, the staff’s center and Andenne’s associative sector. It proceeds to a gradation of privacy which ensures an independence of uses.
From the express road
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
The picture on the main facade is part of a public intiative whereby one percent of the budget is devoted to an integrated piece of art. For the Cultural Center, photographer Marc Wendelsky suggested to strengthen the building’s visual impact by printing out a large scaled picture on the main facade. Label architecture decided to elaborate a curtain wall with patterned stripes of the picture conveying a kinetic perception of the building from the express road.
The link between the existing bulding and the new one
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
The entrance of the Cultural Center
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
On the terrasse, above the entrance, seeing through the dance studio
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
The entrance
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
From the bar to the entrance
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
On the exhibiting space
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures. Published on June 08, 2015.
On the corridor, linking the new building and the existing one
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures . Published on June 08, 2015.
The wood staircase, on the circulation space
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures . Published on June 08, 2015.
The highest level, on the staircase
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures . Published on June 08, 2015.
On the dance studio
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures . Published on June 08, 2015.
On the administrative department
Photo by bepictures. © bepictures . Published on June 08, 2015.
Axonometry showing the urban location
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Axonometry showing the link between existing and new structure
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Plan – level 0
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Conceptual section of the four floors – facades revealing the section
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Plan – level 1
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Plan – level 2
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Plan – level 3
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.
Facade and section
© Label Architecture . Published on June 08, 2015.