BASIL
KAGA
floor -1, stairs to the right and reading room to the left
the reading room, finished in yellow. A slide, poufs, and comics
entrance to library. A marble wall with hole for slide
Drama room, photo taken from the stage. Yellow and green seats.
Seating at a window overlooking the courtyard. Yellow cushions
Upper floor and academy. A piano is on display.
Courtyard, taken atop of the stairs. Downstairs there are tables.
Bathroom, painted all blue. Sinks on the left, cubicles on the right.
Seats on the ground floor. To the right is the entrance to the toilets
Corridor on ground floor. On the left are all shelves of books
floor -1, yellow cabinets filled with comics and children's books
A desk. A black chair and green lamp fill the picture.
Outside the building. Canopy and yellow floor.
Accent photo of the stair railing. Gold banister and red stair treads.
Entrance. Central is a yellow spiral staircase leading up and down.
Yellow spiral staircase on floor -1.
Accent photo of theater auditorium. Through window one can look inside
outdoor space. Right white staircase, across small tables scattered.
accent photo upper floor. 2 supporting posts in gray
Floor -1. Yellow bookshelves filled with children's books.
Floor -2. Study room filled with tables and chairs
Floor -1. On the right place to sit and read, On the left book shelves
Ground floor. Sign with information on different genres is seen
Floor -2. There are people studying, behind them encyclopedias
Outside the building at night. Yellow accent in floor is highlighted.
Exterior of front facade at night.
Accent photo of the stairwell. Right sign with info on each floor

art center library  academy, Aalter


The former space, purchased by the municipality of Aalter within a larger development of service flats and apartments, is set to be transformed into an art center with a library, academy, and cultural point. Where the property extends to two floors below ground level, it was decided to cut a few hollow tubes in the roofing. These, in addition to providing natural light, create the necessary dynamics and interaction in the art center thanks to their strategic placement.


No closed doors, but visual contact with all forms of art and functions to maximize stimulation for users and visitors. A simple color palette is proposed with deliberately selected (color) accents and focal points. For instance, the library shelves are finished in an oriental yellow color and at level -1, these shelves will function as a room in itself. The children's library, accessible through a slide from the entrance hall, is entirely dedicated to children. A central patio at level -1, surrounded by the main circulation and visible from the entire building, serves as a multifunctional area that can be used as a reading garden, performance area, and play space.


The music academies are located at level +1, with special attention given to acoustic requirements, particularly considering the presence of the service flats above.

Plan of the front facade.
Plan of the ground floor.
Plan of floor -1.
Plan of floor +1.
Cross-section of the entire building in length.
cross-section of the entire building in width.
Scale model of floor -1.

year: 2017-2021


client: municipality Aalter


program: art center - library -academy


location: Aalter


team: Mouton, tech3, Daidalos Peutz


photography: Giulia Frigerio, Muriel Verborgh

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