Back to school
VIVES University College, which currently has six campuses throughout the province of West Flanders, has ordered ION to develop a new student residence in Kortrijk. ION bought three bars – D’n Bross, Sasch and Eclips – and several adjacent homes to make room for the new project. Last month, ION threw a goodbye party, in consultation with VIVES, for the students in the bars that were to be demolished.
Vives
The building will be constructed close to the existing campus along the Doorniksesteenweg and there will be a direct connection between both. The overall volume comprises some 5,000 m² of gross floor area that will be divided over 126 rooms (12 of which are accessible to people with reduced mobility), 3 commercial spaces and an apartment for the caretaker. Outside there will be a splendid garden with benches and various bicycle sheds.
ION has asked the architect firm Adins & Van Looveren to execute the project. They designed the residence as 2 separate volumes that are joined through glass passageways.
In the meantime, the building permit has been granted and demolition and construction are under way. The goal is to have the building completed in September 2017, thus allowing students to use the new accommodation as of the academic year 2017-2018.
