MANCHESTER ZUID

Conversion and renovation of an old textile factory in Ghent

Year ︎︎︎ 2020 - ...
Phase ︎︎︎ Permit
Surface ︎︎︎ 25.000m²
Budget ︎︎︎ 31.000.000 €
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Following a masterplan overlooking the whole Vynckiersite in the northern skirts of Gent, it was decided that the Manchester South building would remain a productive building. The almost secular monument, that was alternately a cotton fabric and a plastic elements factory for electronic company Vynckier, will host a wide range of activities: workshops, fablab, offices, cafeteria, meeting rooms and conference center. But how one accomodates a contemporary office environment into a 20th century factory building?

The history of the Manchester will be underlined through the new interventions, and will serve as a base for the new organisation of the building. The old machine hall is restored in its grandeur and used as the main entrance, directly connected to an atrium containing the main vertical circulation, in place of the historical transmission gallery that was once used to activate the cotton touring machines. In the main factory hall, two generous patios are cut out in order to fill all the common areas with natural light.