Green light for University Library renovation project

The aim is to preserve the architectural work of Belgian architect Roger Bastin, who designed the building in 1979, while considerably improving its energy performance.

This renovation aims to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption and a very clear increase in the building's thermal and acoustic comfort.

• The program includes the installation of new window frames, solar panels on the roof, insulation of the exterior envelope, replacement of existing lighting with LEDs, improvement of the ventilation system and heating/cooling with a heat pump.
• Note: 2.5 million euros in funding from European subsidies as part of the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility)

The aim is to better meet students' expectations and needs in terms of study space. This is why the redevelopment of the library will aim to transform it into a Learning Center, while preserving direct access to many of the BUMP's works.

The Learning Center will enable collaborative work through the creation of work rooms, while maintaining the possibility of a place for concentration and individual work.

The library is enriched: to its primary vocations as a place for study and research, it is also becoming a place for meeting, sharing and collaboration. For example, it will take into account evolving student and teaching practices, notably by allowing groups to exchange aloud, in 32 reserved rooms, while preserving calm in other parts of the library. The spaces will also be modular to accommodate events, exhibitions or even to increase the library's capacity during busy periods.

The program: reorganization of the space with group work rooms (2-4-6-8 people), individual places, preservation of shelving, a training room (29 places), seminar rooms (16-18 places), an exhibition room, relaxation/conviviality spaces, a more open and bright reception area, a cafeteria space. Total capacity: 553 places.

The aim is to offer a Horeca space that complements the one on offer at the Arsenal, on a central campus site. In this space, there will be no on-site cooking/preparation, but a healthy and varied food offer, to eat in or take away. Opening hours will be extended to allow different groups of people to take advantage of it (for example, students on staggered timetable courses), and continuous access throughout the day will be guaranteed. The space will also be open to external visitors. Possibility of organizing events.

At program: development of a Horeca space in the current location of the forum bleachers. This space will feature a generous glass façade echoing the curved shape of the Forum bleachers. Capacity for 130 diners. Cosy area, communal table, outdoor space. Roof terrace accessible from the Library entrance

• The Forum area will be renovated (a landscaping plan will complete the site) and the current green areas will be reinforced (for example, remarkable trees will be preserved and protected)
• A "two-wheel parking" area will be built in the parking lot under the BUMP. It will have a capacity of 88 two-wheelers (including cargo bike spaces), and will feature a sanitary block (shower/toilet).
• Enhanced safety: the renovation of this site will make it safer, including for local residents and Namurians. It is envisaged, for example, that this space will no longer be accessible to the public at night or otherwise, and that a guard room will be set up within the BUMP.

Library services will be housed in two temporary premises: the "Pop Up BUMP":

• Pop-up BUMP (44, rue de Bruxelles): Will house the library's central services and Collections for the Faculties of Science, Economic, Social and Management Sciences, Education and Training Sciences, Computer Science, Medicine. It will have a 45-seat consultation room
• Pop-up BUMP Grafé, (1a, Rue J. Grafé): Collections for the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and a 36-seat Consultation Room

But also: 500 places spread across the campus, in the various faculties to accommodate students during blockade periods. With two main sites: the Pedro Arrupe auditorium for daytime occupancy, the rooms of the former National Bank for evening occupancy.

To sum up: a temporary library will be set up during the renovation work. If it is impossible to continue providing services within their current perimeter, the transitional library will retain its user support services, two consultation rooms, all the works in the reading room (around 50,000 books) and will offer deferred access to all the collections via shuttles.

The AAVO Architects office is responsible for carrying out this project with UNamur.

Copyright of visuals: AAVO Architects