Ambitious Ghent Bargiekaai Project by KU Leuven and Odisee University of Applied Sciences Set to Commence on October 16
KU Leuven and Odisee University of Applied Sciences are joining forces to realize the new construction project Bargiekaai on their shared campus in Ghent’s Rabot district. The existing buildings on the site between Guldenvliesstraat and Bargiekaai will be partially demolished from Monday, October 16.
After archaeological research, a sustainable education complex will be built, with two large auditoriums, many classrooms and collaborative spaces, offices, a new library and additional green space in the city center.
State-of-the-art infrastructure for 3,000 students
The building will accommodate approximately 3,000 students and thus accommodate the rising student numbers. LUCA School of Arts will also use the facilities in the future. Thanks to the open learning center and the state-of-the-art infrastructure, students from Odisee’s technology and health disciplines, KU Leuven industrial engineering and architecture students, and art students from LUCA School of Arts can meet and inspire each other in joint innovative projects . The campus also offers a mix of all types of education: graduate, professional bachelor’s, academic bachelor’s and master’s, and doctoral courses.
More than 90 high-quality student rooms
In addition to the teaching and research areas, efforts are also being made to build new student accommodation on campus. “We are building a brand new student house with more than 90 student rooms,” says Stefaan Saeys, Director of Technical Services at KU Leuven. “In this way we want to respond to the demand for affordable and high-quality rooms in the city. Students will be able to rent a high-quality room at a competitive price. We are building a campus where people study, work and live.”
Connection with the neighborhood
“The campus is already an oasis of greenery in the Rabot district. We want to assume our social role and open the campus to local residents. Many local residents already come to the park to relax or use the campus as a shortcut to the water. With the construction of the new green zone, we are focusing even more on connection and the campus will be fordable for pedestrians, cyclists and other slow traffic,” says campus manager Tilly Baute. “This is therefore in line with the ambition of the City of Ghent to develop a green climate axis along the Brugse Vaart.”
Timing
“The demolition works will start on Monday, October 16 and will last until approximately December 8, after which archaeological research will follow,” says Inge François, architect at Odisee University of Applied Sciences. The start of the new construction project is scheduled for the spring of 2024 and the education building and student housing are expected to be completed in the summer of 2027 (timing subject to change). After completion, we will demolish one last structure to create additional green space.