Vandenhove Pavilion

• Date 2012-2017
• Address Rozier, 1 – 9000 Ghent

The design for a pavilion at Ghent University marks a significant achievement for Charles Vandenhove. Above all, it reflects the architect’s historical ties to the great ‘school’ of architectural historians for which the Flemish university is renowned. Since the start of his career, the architect has regularly sought the input of critics such as Geert Bekaert, Francis Strauven and Bart Verschaffel, all of whom are professors at Ghent University. The pavilion is, therefore, the realisation of his desire to offer students and researchers – as well as the general public – this exceptional collection of contemporary art that he has amassed throughout his life. Bequeathed in 2012, the collection has been made available to the STAK (Studiecentrum Architectuur & Kunst), which was established for this purpose. The construction of the building, undertaken by the architectural firm Vandenhove & Associés, is situated in a strategic location, in the immediate vicinity of the Boekentoren (architect: Henry van de Velde), in the university district. The pavilion extends over two storeys above the ground floor, which houses a 120-seat auditorium and a reception area. The first floor accommodates a spacious study and work area for researchers and students, whilst the top floor is reserved for exhibitions. Natural light, entering from above, is controlled by a system of sunshades with external movable blinds designed to protect the exhibited collections. Dominated by concrete and small-grained granite, the façades are characterised by their simplicity, with openings reserved for the reception, lounge and study areas. Continuing his tradition of collaborating with artists, Charles Vandenhove, shortly before his death, commissioned Koen Van Den Broeck to create a mural for the auditorium walls; in 2023, Van Den Broeck will execute a mural there inspired by Matisse’s work in the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence.

• Description of the collection

  Specifications, preliminary and final drawings, correspondence, photographs…

• Volumetry 12 archive boxes (1.44 m)
• Bibliography

  VERSCHAFFEL, Bart, Charles Vandenhove, architecture / architectuur 1954–2014, Tielt, Lannoo Publishers, 2014, pp. 258–259.

• AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE ENTRY Sébastien Charlier 2023