Historic Court House Britselei, Antwerp (B).
Rehabilitation for architect Lode Baeckelmans.
This project comprises the restoration, renovation and conversion of the historic court building in Antwerp, preparing it in a sustainable fashion for its future programme as home to the Courts of Assize and Appeal.
Our design constitutes a restoration of the building’s original design as conceived by architect Lode Baeckelmans in 1867. This design, which is characterised by a clear and hierarchical morphology organised around 2 central courtyards and the Salle des Pas Perdus, was compromised even during its execution, partly due to the architect’s untimely death. In the decades that followed, numerous interventions further undermined the purity and flow of the original design.
From the very earliest stages of our work on the project, it became clear that Baeckelmans’ original design was still very much relevant for the building’s future programme. Our primary interventions therefore consist of the meticulous unravelling of the various elements that detract from the “reading” of the original design and hinder the spatial experience and functional application of the building. The elements of the building that remained were then carefully restored. Several 21st century additions were also made with care and respect for the historic nature of the building, thus enabling the execution of the building’s programme in accordance with contemporary standards for comfort, sustainability and security. This includes the integration of various technical facilities, the construction of an additional courtroom and staircase, the restoration and extension of the original staircases and commissioning of the historic attic.
Origin, Bureau Bouwtechniek, NEY, RCR, Daidalos Peutz, Optimit, FPC and Marge architecten.
Stijn Bollaert, David Jacobs, Wouter De Ceuster.
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For us, restoring daylight is considered a restorative procedure. For example, extensions disturbed the symmetrical incidence of light in the Salle des Pas Perdus. By clearing the historic window openings and designing cuts in the roof and floor plate of the adjacent circulation, the atmosphere proposed by architect Baeckelman could be restored.
“The renovation project of the courthouse on the Britselei proves that a historic setting and modern Justice can go hand in hand. In cooperation with the architects, citizens were placed first. Among other things, by providing a unified reception, separate waiting rooms for victims, rooms for the victim treatment service, and easy accessibility for people with reduced mobility.” FOD Justitie
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“During the restoration works, several historic murals were found that were still in excellent condition. Some of these original color patterns have been restored and made visible to all users, as witnesses to the colorful original design.” Origin
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