Public buildings

Utopia Library

Light and fresh air make visitors forget all about old and dusty libraries

Spacious library interior with bookshelves, concrete walls, and modern lighting.

Aalst, Belgium

Location

Refurbishment

Project type

KAAN Architecten

Architect

Groep Van Roey
(contractor)
MEIRE NV
(installer)

Further participants

2018

Project year

Modern library interior with VELUX roof window and bookshelves.

Spacious library with VELUX roof window, bookshelves, and reading areas.

Spacious library interior with skylight, concrete stairs, and wooden bookshelves.

Contemporary ceiling with skylights and linear lighting fixtures.

Spacious library with skylight ceiling, bookshelves, and study tables.

Library interior with VELUX roof window, bookshelves, and seating areas.

Contemporary library with glass ceiling, bookshelves, and seating areas.

Classroom with white furniture and VELUX roof window, bright and modern design.

Flat roof with skylights, modern design, brick building in background.

Modern roof with VELUX roof windows, white frames, and glass panels.

Modern library building illuminated at night with large glass windows.

A former military school has been transformed into a modern city library and performing arts academy

By using raw concrete, light walls and roof, the building is turned into a relaxing haven for the residents of the Flemish city of Aalst in Belgium.

This new cultural hub and architectural landmark is called Utopia and is an 8.000 square meters modern building.

Outside, the building blends into the urban fabric through its unassuming red brick facade. Inside, it makes a bold architectural statement on the benefits of shared-space learning.
The library, rehearsal studios, auditoriums and teaching spaces are intimately connected by a patchwork of vast windows, often as high and wide as the rooms themselves.
VELUX modular skylights have improved the indoor air quality and increased the reading and learning environment for the visitors of the building.

The openness of the building exudes sustainability, and the building has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Building certificate

Products used in project

1 × Atrium Longlight

Quantity of modules: 64

Modular VELUX flat roof window system with multiple connected glass rooflight modules.

Atrium Longlight/Ridgelight

Multiple rows of skylight modules that can be combined to create a large glass roof.

Atrium Longlight/Ridgelight

Multiple rows of skylight modules that can be combined to create a large glass roof.

"Natural light is a determining factor for the atmosphere of the entire building."

Arnoud Van Der Straeten, Head of the library

"The large amount of natural daylight provides comfort and a nice atmosphere. Sunbeams fall beautifully on the bookshelves and on the inner façade of the old building, which in this way adds luster to the experience of the characteristic historical identity of the place."

Bas BarendseKAAN Architecten