London studio David Kohn Architects has won an international competition to redesign the SMAK museum in Ghent, Belgium, alongside noAarchitecten and Asli Çiçek.
The redevelopment, which aims to redefine the museum's relationship with the city, will see the reconfiguration and extension of a cluster of historic buildings to create 20,000 square metres of exhibition and public space.
A spacious forecourt will form the main entrance
The proposal by David Kohn Architects, noAarchitecten and Asli Çiçek includes the repurposing of the Floraliënhal ? an industrial glass and steel structure constructed in 1913 for the World Fair ? that will form the contemporary art museum's main entrance.
Renders of the updated Floraliënhal reveal a spacious entrance forecourt sheltered by its existing curved steel roof. This space will be complemented by newly added ground floor and roof openings, seating space and greenery.
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Two existing concrete and brick structures that sit on either side of the Floraliënhal will be retrofitted to create new display areas overlooking the forecourt below, accompanied by a cafe and additional public space.
The structures' existing symmetrical facades will be stripped and insulated before being reconstructed with a "more varied and playful character".
Promoting a circular construction approach, the studi...