The Academy of Word and Music in Kapellen has about 380 pupils and is a part of the Brasschaat Academy of Word and Music.

The objective of the local authority is that pupils should be able to have their lessons in a building that complies with the current requirements of acoustics, energy and safety and in addition possesses the necessary facilities.

A feasibility study showed that the Academy could be accommodated in a former RTT building with a total floor area of 2420 m² that is currently used as an office building.

The site is between the N11 regional road (Antwerpsesteenweg) and the no. 12 railway line from Antwerp to Essen.

The building is at the rear of the site and is not directly visible from the street.

In addition to the floor area required by the music academy, which is about 1200 m², the design brief has to take account of the fact that classrooms for multifunctional group lessons are to be organised so that they can also be used by other groups (as classrooms or meeting rooms). The remaining usable floor area is to be fitted out for the Red Cross and/or extracurricular child care.

The aim of the brief is to divide up, adapt and equip the building so that it can satsify the requirements of its various users.

For the Academy, for instance, in addition to acoustics and sound insulation, it is important that access can be supervised, with an office and a waiting area for children. There will be a combination of both group and individual lessons and there is consequently a need for a larger room for groups playing music together. This room can also be used for public examinations, but it is not required to be made into a fully-fledged concert hall.

In solving the present problems of heating in the building and in the use of other technical installations, the local authority pursues the greatest possible use of sustainable energy.

fee for architecture between 7% and 8%

fee for architecture between 1.7% and 2.3%

fee for architecture between 2.6% and 3.3%