Frederique Hermans
MuZa. PHL Diepenbeek (Belgium)
MuZa
The project MuZa is an extention of the historical castle in the town of Leut. This castle is currently in use as a place for exhibitions and as a place for musical performances because of its unique accoustic qualities. The surroundig gardens are the place to be for bikers and tourists.
Sadly, part of its original glamour has been lost due to pourly designed extentions. On top of this, the castle is still to small to house all of the activities it needs to become a true cultural centerpoint.
For this reason, MuZa wants to give the castle back her former prestige. A new auditorium and spaces for temporary exhibitions give the castle the chance to make optimal use of its internal spaces for musical performances. The new volumes consists of 3 floors, of which 2 are hidden underground.
On the outside, the extention is minimalistic, freeing the oldest façades that are now hidden behind extentions. The castle becomes once again the most important element on the site. Simple volumes accentuate historical axes and are submissive in regard to the surrounding buildings and gardens.
On the inside though, the project becomes more ambitious. Visitors are guided true a walk where space and light play a central role. Series of skylights make sure that every room gets natural light in a unique way. De spaces are connected via staircases that seem to carved out of the enormous walls of the spaces. The spatial compositions invite artits the use the setting as a backdrop to enrich their artwork.
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