The new community centre in Beselare, West Flanders, is cut into the slope of the site, so that visitors have direct access from the forecourt to the upper storey, with foyer areas, a bar and a discussion zone laid out about a multipurpose hall. Large areas of glazing afford views of the nearby church and the open landscape, while internal windows create visual links between the hall and foyer.
On the lower floor, the hall is largely screened off by ancillary spaces. On both levels, the peripheral layer of rooms acts as an acoustic buffer. The hall, in solid concrete, is clad internally with exposed blockwork. The upper part of this facing skin is in an open form of construction to provide effective and economical acoustics – a feature that can also be found in the foyer. Contrasting colour notes are set by the wooden benches, bars and windows.
On the lower floor, the hall is largely screened off by ancillary spaces. On both levels, the peripheral layer of rooms acts as an acoustic buffer. The hall, in solid concrete, is clad internally with exposed blockwork. The upper part of this facing skin is in an open form of construction to provide effective and economical acoustics – a feature that can also be found in the foyer. Contrasting colour notes are set by the wooden benches, bars and windows.