a conic roof of complex timber tops frans masereel centrum in belgium

a conic roof and complex timber beams feature in this belgium art center, designed by paris-based studio LIST and japanese architect hideyuki nakayama architects. serving as an extension to the frans masereel center, located in rural flanders, kempen, the 420 m² pavilion aims to eliminate the usual separation between artists and the public.

images © jeroen verrecht

the architects have set the space up as a ‘machikado’ structure, which in japanese refers to a city-corner and is similar to a french passage. completed in 2018, the new pavilion is an extension to the existing dome designed by lou jansen.

LIST and hideyuki nakayama architects were inspired by the simplicity in the already existing architecture and decided to using two shapes for the new pavilion. they chose a glass cylinder and a cone shaped roof on the top of it, which like a cake, has pieces cut out of the volume, dividing it into several spaces with sharp angle corners.

‘like a crossroads it concentrates and diffuses at the same time, encouraging equally interaction and isolation,’ the architects explain. ‘the different dispersed spaces – such as the printmaking studio, where artists can concentrate on their work or the exhibition hall where visitors can wander around the displayed work – cross paths at the center of the new building.

the building’s conic roof structure was conceived during the competition and features a complex geometry based on a centuries-old structural typology called reciprocal frame. known to span over great distances with limited length timber elements, this typology is generated by mutually self-supporting elements placed on a specific geometrical adjustment and mainly developed through simple repetitive patterns.

the architectures have adapted this typology to a truncated cone, which evolves through the different spaces giving no specific directions. the structure is composed of 800 solid wood beams of equal section with 25 levels of reciprocity are arranged to cover the surface of the 29m diameter cone.

the pavilion is built using traditional construction materials and techniques and none of the technical elements, such as cables or ventilation ducts, are hidden. the outer walls are made out of dark red bricks and the inner leaf is a block wall with concrete columns.

natural light enters from two types of openings: glass curtain walls around the cylinder shape and the doors and square shaped windows in the recessed brick walls. the floor is a polished concrete slab and the roof is a timber structure covered with bitumen roofing.

in 2013, an international invited architecture competition was organised for the design of a new pavilion hosting printmaking studios, an archive room, a workshop and a new public exhibition space. LIST and hideyuki nakayama architecture were awarded first prize. they worked in close collaboration with the structure engineers, bollinger + grohmann, and the architects and engineers from bureau bouwtechniek.

the new pavilion is above all a place of production with printmaking studios and workshops, filled with all kinds of machines and presses. the space is therefor not designed as an art gallery but as an atelier. founded in 1972, the centre offers residencies and working spaces to national and international graphic designers, artists and critics who want to work with intaglio, relief printing, screen print or lithography.