New interactive visitor centre for Flemish parliament

The hall known as De Loketten was formerly a postal cheques office, with windows for customer service similar to a post office (loket means service window in Dutch). The building was designed by Victor Bourgeois and constructed between 1937 and 1946, an occupation by the Nazis intervening.

The Flemish parliament took over the building in 2002 and completely renovated it, using the upper floors for offices and the ground floor as a public space. Designer Stefan Schöning and architect Giuseppe Farris turned back to what Bourgeois had said in 1937 regarding his vision for the space: “To bring the dimensions of the streets of the city inside the building, to create an interior public space where the administration can come in contact with the public”.

The new role for the space turns back again to Bourgeois’ vision. The centre, which is meant to attract schoolchildren, associations and individuals, including tourists, aims to provide a sense of citizenship and democratic values, while offering a worthwhile visitor experience.

It will be built around four modules: the parliament as the core of democracy, parliamentarianism and the rule of law, the evolution of the Flemish region and civic activism.

The team appointed to create the centre includes Flemish heritage expert Estelle Slegers, Bruges architect Koen Bovée and scenographer Koen de Visscher of visual communications firm Kodevis in Lokeren, who will also act as the project’s co-ordinator. The trio emerged as winners of a Europe-wide competition following the initial phase when University of Leuven professor Emmanuel Gerard developed the core concept.

The team has a collective record that includes the new Zwin Nature Park, the 2013 exhibition Love and Devotion at the Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges and the visitor access to the Sint-Rombouts cathedral tower in Mechelen.

Photo: An architectural impression of the new visitor centre
©Courtesy Flemish parliament