In the heart of Kortrijk, the historic Groeninge Abbey has been given a new purpose as ABBY Museum: a contemporary museum for visual arts and design where heritage and innovation come together seamlessly. The project combines the restoration of a valuable historic site with the creation of a new museum wing and state-of-the-art exhibition spaces.
ABBY is much more than a museum. It is a cultural meeting place where historic architecture, contemporary art and innovative technologies reinforce one another. The sixteenth-century abbey and the former Kortrijk 1302 Museum, together with a new extension, create a unique environment where visitors experience art in an atmosphere of discovery, tranquillity and inspiration.
- Client
- ABBY Museum Kortrijk
- Location
- Kortrijk, Belgium
- Sweco scope
- HVAC, electrical engineering, sanitary systems, lifts, sustainable energy, museum climate control, engineering and technical supervision
A museum beneath the surface
The project’s most remarkable intervention is hidden beneath the existing building. Two state-of-the-art underground exhibition galleries were created, which together with the restored chapel provide more than 1,000 m² of premium exhibition space. This gives the museum the flexibility to host historic collections, internationally renowned masterpieces and contemporary exhibitions alike.
The combination of heritage and contemporary architecture creates a unique dialogue between historic structures and modern design. The result is a museum environment that respects the past while embracing the future.
Sweco’s role
For ABBY Museum, Sweco was responsible for the design and engineering of the building services. Our multidisciplinary teams developed the installations for:
- Heating
- Ventilation
- Sanitary systems
- Electrical engineering
- Lifts
- Integration of renewable energy
- Technical redundancy to ensure uninterrupted museum operations
Thanks to this integrated approach, the museum meets the stringent requirements that modern art collections place on climate control, conservation and visitor comfort.
Innovative museum engineering
Works of art require an exceptionally stable environment. Sweco therefore developed an innovative ventilation concept that ensures a carefully controlled indoor climate while providing optimal protection for the museum’s collection. Masterpieces by artists such as Gustave De Smet, Jean Brusselmans and Rinus Van de Velde can therefore be displayed in a safe environment supported by technically advanced building services.
Special attention was also paid to technical reliability. Through redundant systems and the careful integration of building services, the museum remains operational over the long term and is fully prepared for future needs.
The challenge: integrating heritage with modern building services
Integrating contemporary building services into a protected historic building requires exceptional precision. Sweco supported the client and the architects throughout every stage of the project, from design and engineering to construction supervision and quality assurance. This close collaboration made it possible to preserve the site’s heritage value while achieving the project’s ambitious technical objectives.
A new cultural landmark for Kortrijk
With ABBY, Kortrijk has gained a contemporary museum of international standing. The project demonstrates how heritage, architecture, technology and culture can reinforce one another. Today, the museum serves as a new benchmark for cultural infrastructure in Flanders and highlights how an integrated design approach delivers sustainable, future-proof solutions.
Photography: Tom D’Haenens
