Perceptual wandering in the historic heart of KU Leuven

  • Project:

    Opening up the rectory

  • Client:

    Technische Dienst KU Leuven

  • Projectcode:

    0006HAL

  • Designer:

    LAVA architecten (VBMarchitecten)

  • Site:

    Naamsestraat - Zeelstraat, Leuven

  • Structural engineer:

    ir. arch. Hans De Petter

  • Technical systems:

    BSTK ingenieursbureau

  • Contractor:

    Van Roey nv

  • Photographer:

    Toon Grobet

Through the strong spatial experience and the three-dimensional openness of the structure, a “promenade architecturale” is created along the historic façades of the University Halls. On the way up the staircase tower, leading to the highest floor of the rectorate of KU Leuven, users can enjoy ever-changing panoramas of the Leuven skyline above the rooftops.

On the mezzanine level, this staircase hall opens onto the “Jubilee Hall” with four stair flights. The compact staircases are conceived as an orthogonal variation on the theme of the double helix, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s design for the spiral staircase in the Château de Chambord. This design allows two staircase flights to be placed within the footprint of one, achieving a very high evacuation capacity and enabling optimal use of the various halls and rooms.

The staircase tower extends further as the entrance to the rectorate. Along with the panoramic elevator, the spacious structure also provides access to the other upper floors and attics.

The design leverages the spatiality, scale, and historical ornamentation of the University Halls and the Regavleugel to transform what initially might be seen as a purely functional extension into a powerful spatial experience. The entire structure serves as a grand foyer, enabling a vertical journey along the former outer façades of the historic buildings. At the top of the staircase and elevator tower, this journey culminates in a panoramic view of the cityscape. The tower volume becomes a new landmark for the city.

We use cookies or similar technologies (e.g. pixels or social media plug-ins) to optimise your user experience on our website, among other things. In addition, we wish to use analytical and marketing cookies to personalise your visit to our website, to send targeted advertisements to you, and to give us more insight into your use of our website.

Do you consent to our use of cookies for an optimal website experience, so that we can improve our website and surprise you with advertisements? Then confirm with ‘OK’.

Conversely, would you like to set specific preferences for different types of cookies? This can be done via our Cookie Policy. Would you like more information about our use of cookies or how to delete cookies? Please read our Cookie Policy.