Institute of Civil Engineering university building

Institute of Civil Engineering university building 1936

Quai Barning - Architect: Joseph Moutschen

Very sober in its design, the Institute of Civil Engineering is undoubtedly the main monument of the site, whose "exceptional value" Henry Vande Velde will highlight. Designed by Joseph Moutschen, professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, it also houses the Departments of hydraulics, civil and industrial architecture, mining, topography and railway operations.

Builton Franki foundations and in a mixed structure – coated metal frame and reinforced concrete superstructure, the building is remarkable for its brightness: all the premises (access halls, stairwells, circulation corridors, offices, classrooms, auditoriums) benefit from an abundance of daylight, in an ingenious spatial arrangement, for example of the large illuminated staircase has an ord by a single frame 22m high or the exhibition hall on the second floor, 20m side by two large superimposed auditoriums which cross it diagonally.

At both ends, the corners accommodate entrances and vertical circulations, the interior finish of which is remarkable. The large hall on the Meuse side affects the shaped like a cube, the one overlooking the site is a rectangular parallelepiped erected in height. To punctuate the horizontality of the whole, the architect creates slender effects through a series of vertical lines: on the Meuse side, four pillars start from the access steps, supporting the concrete veil the canopy; on the other, the glass roof of the stairwell is crossed over its entire height by a blank section of wall. On the side facades, the spans are highlighted by pillars in relief.