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February 10 2024
By Manuel Charr
What if the bricks of the future weren’t mined from the earth but crafted from its waste? What if museums didn’t just showcase sustainability but embodied it, brick by brick? In the heart of Ghent, Design Museum Gent is turning these ideas into reality.
Nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage city, the museum is undergoing a bold transformation—one that rethinks the very fabric of cultural institutions. This is not just an architectural renovation; it’s a radical experiment in sustainability, circularity, and community-driven design. Led by the visionary architects of Carmody Groarke, the museum’s new wing, Design in Gent, is poised to redefine how we build, engage, and innovate in the cultural sector.
Design as a Force for Change
Design Museum Gent has long been a hub for creativity and innovation. With a collection spanning from the 15th century to today, the museum highlights the profound impact of design on daily life.
Speaking at the Green Museums Summit, Director Katrien Laporte emphasised the museum’s role as a meeting place for designers, makers, and the public.
The museum actively explores how design can address pressing societal challenges such as sustainability, mobility, and technology. The forthcoming renovation embodies this philosophy, making sustainability an integral part of both the building’s construction and its operational approach.
A Historic Site with a Bold Vision
The museum is situated in a cluster of historic buildings, including Huis Leyton (built in 1577) and Hotel de Koning (built in 1755), with a more recent wing added in 1992.
The new expansion, known as Design in Gent, will introduce essential new facilities such as additional exhibition spaces, education and workshop rooms, lecture halls, and improved logistics for art handling. Importantly, the new structure will feature a “city room,” offering panoramic views over Ghent and reinforcing the museum’s civic presence.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is a driving force behind the Design in Gent project. The construction industry is responsible for over 40% of global CO2 emissions, making it essential for cultural institutions to rethink their building strategies. One of the most innovative aspects of the project is its use of bio-based and circular materials.
Laporte explains that each floor of the new building will have a distinct identity, employing materials such as hemp, mycelium, eggshells, and recycled appliances. The furniture for the museum café will even be crafted from repurposed collection pieces.
The museum is also collaborating with young Belgian designers, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches that prioritiae circularity and resource efficiency.
Reinventing the Brick
One of the most groundbreaking elements of the project is the development of a new, low-carbon brick. Traditional brick production is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to carbon emissions. To mitigate this, the museum’s team, alongside material scientists and sustainability experts, has pioneered an alternative brick made from lime-based binders and recycled aggregates, including waste concrete and industrial glass.
These “Gent Waste Bricks” undergo a carbonation process rather than traditional high-temperature firing, reducing their environmental footprint. Production is localized, with materials sourced within a small radius of Ghent, further minimizing the project’s carbon impact. After extensive testing to ensure durability and compliance with regulations, the museum is now ready to scale up production, marking a significant milestone in sustainable construction.
Engaging the Community
Beyond its architectural and environmental innovations, the project is deeply rooted in community engagement. The museum has launched an initiative allowing Ghent residents to “adopt” a brick, fostering a sense of collective ownership over the new wing. Additionally, a citizens’ assembly has been established to explore ways to make the museum more accessible and welcoming.
The Design in Gent Brick Festival, set for April 20-21, will bring together designers, architects, schools, and local businesses to raise awareness about sustainable materials and construction. This initiative will not only highlight the museum’s commitment to sustainability but also serve as an educational platform for future generations.
Looking Ahead
As Design Museum Gent prepares for its grand reopening in May 2026, it stands as a beacon of how cultural institutions can lead by example in addressing the climate crisis. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of its renovation—from material selection to community involvement—the museum is redefining what it means to be a green museum.
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Design Museum Gent and Carmody Groarke spoke at the Green Museums Summit 2024.
About the author – Manuel Charr
Manuel Charr is a journalist working in the arts and cultural sectors. With a background in marketing, Manuel is drawn to arts organizations which are prepared to try inventive ways to reach new audiences.
