The provincial services of East Flanders are currently spread over about 7 buildings in the center and the provincial government wants to centralize within the Leopold Barracks and create a new provincial building.

For its design and construction, the provincial government will work with the THV Leopold consortium, a partnership between DMI Vastgoed, Democo and Matexi. From 2021, the new provincial government building will be located within the Leopold Barracks at Ghent's Citadel Park. In addition to the various administrative services, the political section (provincial council, deputation, etc.), the public section (public-oriented services, meeting rooms, etc.) and the logistics section (lending service, archives, depot space, parking, etc.) will also be integrated. The total area requirement is approximately 30,000 m².

In our story, the Leopoldskazerne no longer remains the closed massive building, but transforms into a lively urban neighborhood, where living, working and meeting are central. In this, the Leopold Barracks retains its identity. In addition to the provincial government building, we are integrating into the barracks the art school HISK, offices for Defense, a hotel, childcare and various housing typologies. The functions extend around the Parade Square, which will be redeveloped into a green neighborhood park.

Future orientation, sustainability and flexibility are central to the design process. The concept goes far beyond the imposed sustainability requirements for the various buildings. THV Leopold's vision looks at sustainability at the neighborhood level. This translates into measures in the areas of integrated water management, energy, mobility, waste management, ... to, for example, the green stock, the heritage vision and extensive participation with the provincial government.

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Photos copyright: WDJA, Robbrecht & Daem architects, Trans, B. Smet