New entrance and gathering place: Campus Kantienberg gets makeover
1/04/2025
Campus Kantienberg, the largest Artevelde UAS campus on Voetweg in Ghent, is getting a makeover. The main entrance is moved to the side of Muinkschelde, where a gathering place for students, staff and the neighbourhood will be created. The works will start at the end of this month, and the renovation will be finished at the earliest in February 2026.
With the construction of Campus Kantienberg fifteen years ago, Artevelde UAS made quite an impression on the Ghent city centre. Today this is still an impressive campus, but with a range of adjustments, the UAS wants to update it to match the current needs of students and staff. Moreover, the idea is to bring the outside world into the campus.
The most noticeable change will be the new entrance by the water, near Kinepolis. 'That is where we will create a central, bustling foyer with cosy meeting spots', says Jo Boogaerts, Head of Property Development at Artevelde UAS. 'The idea is that this part of the campus is easily accessible, and that it becomes a spot where campus life meets the outside world. A green walkway with indoor greenery will lead to the open learning centre with inviting study spots, near the current winter garden. The new media library on the first floor will also be accessible to the public. We want a campus that lives with and for the environment.'
Campus stays open
The renovation, which will be carried out in stages from the end of March 2025 until at least mid-February 2026, will transform Campus Kantienberg into a more sustainable and energy-efficient building. Accessibility will be improved and there will be more bike racks and quiet rooms. Workplaces for staff members will also be adjusted.
Throughout the entire duration of the works, the campus will remain active and accessible. 'Of course there will be some nuisance, but we will try to keep it to a minimum', says Boogaerts. 'Students or staff members who are bothered by the building noise can get hearing protection in the media library. We would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and flexibility.' The open days on Campus Kantienberg will continue as planned.
De Kantiene restaurant will temporarily close as the media library collection has been moved there due to the renovations. When the works are done, the media library will move to the new open learning centre and the restaurant will reopen at its former location. We will also create an outdoor terrace on the waterside. If everything goes according to plan, the renovation will be completed at the start of the second semester of academic year 2025-26.
We want a campus that lives with and for the environment
© simulated images: Grosfeld Bekkers van der Velde Architects and PUUR interor architects.
Campus in the neighbourhood, neighbourhood in the campus
With the project ‘Campus in the neighbourhood, neighbourhood in the campus’, Artevelde UAS aims to integrate the campus with the neighbourhood: campuses are no longer isolated from their surroundings, but they are part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of the city.
'We want bustling, open campuses where students and staff members get in touch with the local community, organisations, schools, governments and companies', says neighbourhood anchor An Keppens. 'The renovation of Campus Kantienberg is a realisation of this vision. Our new Campus Dok Zuid, which will include, among other things, neighbourhood-oriented commercial facilities and a neighbourhood park, is another good example.'