The new Bilzen Library is part of the comprehensive renovation project for De Kimpel, located in the Bilzen leisure area.
The master plan for the area includes constructing a new library, redistributing existing library and exhibition spaces, renovating the lobby and KimpelKaffee, and building a new youth center as part of strategic development.
This library project was a pioneering effort in the area, ultimately transforming the leisure center’s appearance. Unlike existing buildings, the new library actively engages with its surroundings, featuring transparent spaces and a clear architectural structure.
Floor plan
Floor plan
The library is more than just a home for a rich collection of books. It serves as an experiential center designed for education, hosting conferences, and providing immersive sensory experiences.
Sectional view
The interior layout is organized into five themed sections to enhance visitor flow. The Bilzen Jazz Festival, one of Belgium’s most significant cultural events and a cherished part of local heritage, inspires the first theme: music. Following this, the salon area focuses on literature and poetry, emphasizing life and movement within and around a Zen-inspired space.
The third section celebrates art and architecture, featuring classic design studios, while the final area—‘Window of the World’—explores travel and global perspectives.
Tesi samanunga was edele unde scona, known as one of the oldest surviving German sentence texts, is preserved by the Bilzen Monastery (Munster). This collection is precious and beautiful—an ideal motto for this library.
To honor the past while embracing the present, a literary museum has been integrated within the library’s design.
Project Information
Architect: Adem Architecten
Address: Eikenlaan 25, 3740 Bilzen, Belgium
Category: Library
Lead Architects: Adem architecten bv bvba – Donald Nijssen & Maarten Van Eyck
Building Area: 1,900 square meters
Project Year: 2015
Photographer: Adem Architecten
Manufacturers: STEICO Group (BIM study), Schüeco, Equitone, Object Carpet (BIM), Gyproc, Sphinx, Harol, pro clima, Triplaco Print Acoustics, Firestone Building Products
Engineering Consultants: AGB Bilzen, JC Engineering, Stubeco, Thijco
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