Muziekcentrum de Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium
Transforming a medieval infirmary into an international-standard concert hall
The Bijloke is an exciting arts centre set in heritage buildings in the heart of Ghent. For 30 years concerts have been hosted in a remarkable thirteenth-century hospital building, taking advantage of a naturally reverberant space. However, while the building’s rich history was treasured by many, its acoustic design and internal arrangement were increasingly at odds with modern performance expectations.
Structural deformation over time had the effect of directing sound reflections up and over the heads of the audience. The narrow, long hall was a challenge for seating arrangements and sightlines.
Arup worked with Bijloke and DRDH Architects to develop a new permanent interior fit-out to set a new performance standard. The solution included lowering the floor level to improve acoustics, sightlines and accessibility, installing new side walls to enhance early sound reflections, and fitting new overhead reflectors to enhance ensemble sound. New lighting, sound and video infrastructure were installed to accommodate modern performances.
The renovation was awarded the Henry van de Velde 2022 Gold Award.
