Izegem - Leisure centre

The study and design assignment for the conversion and extension of the old Strobbe printing works into an integrated leisure centre in Izegem was awarded to the German bureau BeL Sozietät für Architektur. The team is reinforced with Bureau Bouwtechniek for architecture, Imagine Structure and Mouton for stability, and Transsolar and hp engineers for technology.

On the corner of the Grote Markt in the heart of Izegem lies the former Strobbe printing house. The beautiful printing site with its industrial look and large company floors has been abandoned for a few years now. In 2016, the Palmbout Urban Landscapes study bureau drew up a spatial vision for the town, retaining the site as one of the crucial project sites for urban development. The print shop is a household name in Izegem and, because of its central location, it should become a junction between the town centre and the new residential developments in the eastern part of the town. In 2017 Achtergael Architects will draw up the ‘Strobbe Tuinen’ master plan that will guide the further development of the site. Izegem wants to turn this project into a vibrant place and consciously chooses to bring different functions together here: the municipal library, the Art’Iz art school and the municipal archives. By bringing together all these services, each of which currently has its own place and operation and appeals to its own public, the city aims to promote cross-fertilisation and shared use of space.

BeL’s design starts from a very precise reading of the existing buildings, clearly indicating their potential, qualities and limitations. The interventions are simple at first glance, even self-evident, but maximally exploit the existing quality of the Strobbefabriek and its structure. The building will be thoroughly improved where necessary, and with distinctive interior elements (props), roof domes and small elevations, the designers will make the structure suitable for the new programme. The well-thought-out implantation of a light structure billboard increases the signal value of the building, while at the same time preserving its familiar appearance. The clear concept and design choices make the proposal strong, feasible and buildable.

The choice to house the archive on the (dark) ground floor and the generously lit library in the former printers’ room is very convincing. The playful look into the archive, on the street side, is expressive and fascinating. The academy’s classrooms are positioned in the former offices and on the edges of the industrial hall. The supplementary circulation space has been kept very compact, resulting in an open plan. The position of the events hall is well thought-out, strategic and, in a certain sense, exemplary for the proposal. It allows for intensive interaction between the various programme components. The synergy between these institutions results in a strong social whole, a vibrant cultural factory, in which every Izegem citizen can find his or her place.

Izegem is a dynamic and bustling city in the heart of West Flanders. On the corner of the Grote Markt lies the former Strobbe printing works (known for its tear-off calendar De Druivelaar). This printing site was abandoned a few years ago. The consultancy Palmbout Urban Landscapes drew up a spatial vision for the city, in which this building was selected as one of the ten crucial project sites for urban development. The Strobbe printing works is a household name in Izegem and, due to its very central location, must become a hub between the city centre and the many new residential developments in the eastern part of the city. The industrial image and the large workshop floors give the complex a striking character.

Spread across the city, there are four functions that we see working and blending together in an integrated manner in this new project: the municipal library, the Art’Iz arts academy, the municipal archive and the social-service centre for senior citizens. These services, all of which at present have their own operations and address their respective audiences, will therefore be given a place in this new house. The city wishes to reuse and therefore thoroughly renovate the largest (and oldest) part of the current printing works. However, an extension will have to be built on to meet the need for space. The city wants to make this project a landmark for our city centre.

It is important that within this new project, the sum is greater than the parts. The city has explicitly chosen to interweave these various functions in the new project so as to enable a great deal of cross-fertilization and the shared use of space. The challenging task for the designers will therefore be in finding a balance between the shared use of space, the specificity of the various components and, above all, the steering of the movements and walking routes of visitors and staff members, so that the whole feels natural. The building should feel like a home for pupils, library visitors, seniors, parents, teachers, etc. and must take into account the needs of the different users, i.e. silence for readers, sound for musicians, conviviality for seniors, etc.

We want the interior to possess the charm of a cosy living room where experience is central. The public areas must seem spacious so that visitors/employees do not feel shut in. In addition, they must offer an overview, be structured clearly and be linked logically to each other. The building should incite visitors to stay there for a long time and to explore the site.

A master plan has already been drawn up for this site, which provides guidance for further developments. Since different players will give shape this site, the designers will have to make their project fit in and shape the relationship between the building and its surroundings. This project will attract the largest number of daily visitors of all Izegem urban sites. The resulting flows of visitors must offer added value for the site and its surroundings and must not cause any inconvenience.

Lastly, we expect the design team to involve experts in the fields of acoustics, sustainable and energy-efficient building, and the climate control of archives accommodating delicate items. The city wishes to achieve a BEN building (BEN: almost energy-neutral).

Selection criteria

1. the general design-based expertise with regard to the project assignment
2. professional competence
3. relevant experience

Allocation criteria

1. the quality of the concept and vision development and of the research by design, tested against the ambitions and expectations of the principal as formulated in the specifications:
   1.a in a broad social context
   1.b applied more functionally to the needs of the user
2. process-orientation and process-readiness
3. the approach to sustainability
4. estimate of the project cost
5. control of the project cost
6. the fee
7. the composition and expertise of the design team

The following weighting is used for the respective allocation criteria: 4 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1/ 1/ 1/ 1. The weighting of the subcriteria is 2.