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BÜRO UND VERWALTUNG • OFFICE BUILDINGS INNERE WERTE • INNER VALUES

Rampen anstelle von Treppen verbinden die Ebenen. • Ramps instead of stairs connect the levels.

Introvertierte Einzelarbeitsplätze für konzentriertes Arbeiten • Individual workstations for concentrated work Mittagspausen und ungezwungene Meetings im Zirkus Café • Lunch breaks and informal meetings in the Zirkus Café

L ocated in the heart of Ghent, Wintercircus has stood as a landmark of transformation cubicles and breakout areas, the offices feature large windows and a colour palette of
since its construction in 1885. Over the years, it has undergone several reinventions,
greens, yellows and reds that contrast harmoniously with the textures of wood and brick.
the most recent in 2015, in which its original robust structure was preserved. From this Almost all furniture have either been made from second-hand or recycled materials, or
base, OYO has renovated the interiors of Wintercircus to align with the ambitions of TENT, were carefully scoured locally by OYO. On the first floor there is the Auditorium, over-
a consortium of local technology entrepreneurs and the city to turn the building into a looking the Arena, notable for being surrounded by glass walls. The studio has conceived
catalyst for the city‘s community, economy and employment. As OYO Architects describes it as the ideal venue for conferences and presentations, with seating for over a hundred
it: “The magic of the Wintercircus lies in the opportunity it provides to foster innovation, people. Meanwhile, on the ground floor, the Expo presents itself as a large, versatile and
inspired by spontaneous interactions and the exchange of ideas between entrepreneurs, highly adaptable space, designed to host a wide range of activities, from art exhibitions to
researchers, students, digital creatives and the general public”. The team of architects fitness classes. The team of architects has also designed two gastronomic spaces: the first
has designed the interior of more than thirty workspaces for technology start-ups, a large floor sushi restaurant and the central café opening onto the Arena.
multi-purpose hall, two spaces for exhibitions and conferences, and two gastronomic
facilities. Thus, through the use of colours and textures recalling the spirit of the circus, Eventful history of the Wintercircus
this intervention offers venues for all kinds of audiences motivated by curiosity and entre-
preneurship. “It was important for us to adapt the building to the human scale, using The latter, called Bar Bougie and located in the garage‘s former grease works, impres-
warm materials that make it welcoming and accessible,” explains OYO Architects. At the ses with its urban and contemporary design. Combining wood and warm lighting with
heart of the campus is the Arena, a versatile venue designed to host all kinds of events, the green steel and concrete of the structure, it strikes a balance between modernity
from presentations to art installations. With its intervention, OYO has highlighted the and warmth. True to the vision of Wintercircus as a sustainable technology hub, OYO
industrial and monumental qualities of the site, prioritising its adaptability. In addition, promotes innovation and the circular economy through its intervention. Thus, the final
a movable neon light installation mounted in the ‘sky’ of the space stands out. Surroun- proposal of the space becomes ‘eclectic’, fusing contemporary and historical elements in
ding the Arena is the Start-ups Campus, home to more than thirty technology start-ups a building that embraces its past. The story of Wintercircus begins in 1885 when the city
spread over several levels of the building. Unlike a conventional office, OYO has devised of Ghent commissioned the construction of the ‘New Circus’ based on plans by architect
welcoming workspaces with natural light and warm materials, with spacious desks that Emile De Weerdt. Hosting various circus troupes—including performances held during
encourage collaboration between teams and small businesses. From meeting rooms to winter—it quickly became a beloved cultural institution, earning the name ‘Wintercircus’

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