Harelbeke Town Hall: Belgium Civic Building

City Hall Harelbeke, Civic Building Belgium, Belgian Architecture

Harelbeke Town Hall, Belgium

Belgian Civic Building design by Dehullu – Architects

27 Mar 2012

The Town Hall of Harelbeke

Belgian Town Hall Building

Design: Dehullu-Architecten

Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building
picture : Tim Van de Velde

The Town Hall of Harelbeke, Belgium by Dehullu-Architects

The works that have been conducted are part of a masterplan that was developed in 2007.

Due to the growing needs of the city services, the Town Hall was looking for an extension of their site. In order to anticipate these growing needs a masterplan was developed. In this plan the historic site of a 19th century flax-factory was incorporated in the new site of the Town Hall. Redevelopping the new site, a new entrance building was designed, centrally located between two existing historically valuable buildings.

Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building
pictures : Tim Van de Velde

The new entrance building links it’s adjacent buildings. None of the floors of these neighbouring buildings were corresponding. The challenge was to make all of the floors accessible for wheelchair users. Therefore the location of elevators and staircases was very carefully thought of.

Since it’s central location in the city, the new entrance building was designed to be a contemporary ‘landmark’ on the main road of Harelbeke. Therefore the cladding of the facade and the roof was executed in a dirt repelling white material. The material is a mineral substance of the brand Corian. It is the first time in Belgium that this material is used as exterior cladding.

Furthermore, part of the historical flax-factory was renovated. The walls and roof of this part were carefully preserved and restored according to the recommendations of the institute of cultural heritage.

Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building
pictures : Tim Van de Velde

On the inside of this historical part, the pattern of the tiled floors refer to a weaving technique, to make the link with the history of this building.

Sustainability was an important aspect in the building process. No cooling was installed in this office building. Due to the high degree of isolation, the use of windowblinds and the white colour of the cladding, overheating of the building can be avoided for the Belgian mild summer climate.

In a next phase the central spot in the site will be transformed into an atrium, in order to centralise all of the city services so the current and future needs of the civilians can easily be satisfied.

Bert Dehullu, engineer-architect.

Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building Harelbeke Town Hall Belgian Town Hall Building
pictures : Tim Van de Velde

Harelbeke Town Hall – Building Information

Architect: Dehullu – Architects
Address: Marktstraat 29, 8530 Harelbeke, Belgium
Construction year: 2010-11
Surface: +- 1000 m²

Harelbeke Town Hall images / information from Dehullu – Architects

Dehullu-Architecten are based in Harelbeke, western Belgium

Location: Marktstraat 29, 8530 Harelbeke, Belgium, northern Europe

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