Circular renovation for iconic Design Museum Ghent

The Design Museum Ghent is undergoing a large-scale renovation with a focus on circularity, energy sustainability, and innovation. The new wing, DING, connects the existing buildings and bridges the gap between the historical center, visitors, and the design world.

This special project includes both the renovation and restoration of three existing building parts, as well as the construction of the new wing, DING, with a sustainable Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure. Sweco is responsible for the study of the technical installations and EPB. The design is by ATAMA, Carmody Groarke, and RE-ST. Sogent is the delegated construction manager on behalf of the City of Ghent, and Artes Group is the main contractor.

Circulaire renovatie voor iconisch Design Museum Gent

Customized indoor climate

We aim to create a building with optimal comfort, climatically tailored to the museum’s functions, equipped with sustainable lighting and high-quality acoustic systems.

Museums require a stable indoor climate, even with variable occupancy. This is crucial for protecting the collection from damage caused by temperature, humidity, and pollution. For DING, we are providing an HVAC system, climate ceilings, and an all-air system for climate control.

The lighting is flexible and can be adjusted with UV filters to protect the collection. A smart building management system takes care of energy usage and allows for real-time adjustments.

Photo Credit: © ATAMA, Carmody Groarke, RE-ST

Holistic approach to sustainability

For the façade of DING, a circular facade brick has been developed based on lime and Ghent construction waste (broken glass and concrete). The brick is not baked but pressed, resulting in a lower carbon footprint.

The construction project also focuses on urban mining, recycling valuable raw materials from urban waste. For example, the natural stone floor and stair tiles from wing 1992 are recovered and ground to supplement the floor in this wing with a new terrazzo floor covering. Furthermore, the wood from the old stairs is reused as stair nosings for the new stairs in DING.

With DING, we are taking a big step towards a ‘smart museum’, with a fine-meshed structure for electricity and data. Strategic distribution points and consolidation points provide flexibility and enable easy integration of new digital technologies, such as Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality. The museum also focuses on digital wayfinding, interactive visits via geolocation, and easy interaction with building systems.

More than a museum

On the ground floor of DING, there will be a city room, a multifunctional space. The reception desk, shop, and welcome area will also be located there. The first floor will have space for lectures and presentations. The workshop spaces will be on the second floor, and the third floor will have space for free exhibitions. DING will also have a spacious terrace overlooking the historical courtyard of Hotel de Coninck. The loft and winter terrace on the fourth floor will offer a beautiful view of the Ghent skyline.

The technical facilities, space for art handling and restoration, toilets, and cloakroom will be located on the underground floor of DING and wing 1992. Finally, the adjacent 16th-century Huis Leten will house a museum café with a view of a hidden courtyard at the back.