H2A Architecte

Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)

Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
© Hufton+Crow

MONS INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS XPERIENCE (MICX)

H2a Architecte & Associés, Studio Libeskind

ARCHITECTS
H2a Architecte & Associés, Studio Libeskind

LOCATION
Mons, Belgium

CATEGORY
Exhibition center, municipal building

AREA
12500.0 m²

YEAR
2015

PHOTOGRAPHS
Hufton+crow

MANUFACTURERS
Vectorworks, Triplaco Print Acoustics, Bitubel

ONWER
City of Mons

PLAN COORDINATION
Semaco pm

SUSTAINABILITY
Neo & ides

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Cit blaton/galère (belgium)

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER & INSTALLATIONS
Putman (Belgium)

FAÇADE ENGINEER & INSTALLATIONS
Somec Group (italy)

STructural engineer
Ney & Partners

ACOUSTICAL ENGINEER
Venac

MECHANICAL ENGINEER & INSTALLATIONS
Energys (belgium)

Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
© Hufton+Crow

Text description provided by architect.

Conceived as a new architectural landmark for Mons, the new convention center is a key element in a plan for economic revitalization, and serves as a connector between the old and the new. From the viewing platform at the top, a visitor can spy the 17th-century Belfry tower, a UNESCO Heritage Site, in the historic center of town, a new train station designed by Santiago Calatrava and the La Haine river.

The 12, 500 sq. meter (41,010 sq feet) Centre is an expression of contrasting geometric forms. The Center houses a grand entrance hall, three auditoriums, a multi-purpose event hall, conference rooms, offices, a restaurant, an underground parking and a public roof terrace.

“We used simple, yet dramatic, design gestures, local materials and a flexible program for this modest gem of a building,” said Daniel Libeskind.” We hope the new center brings a fresh dynamic to this area of revitalization in Mons,” adds Libeskind.

Clad in a manner that gives texture and light to the structure, canted ribbon walls of curved champagne, anodized, aluminum wrap the form upwards to a prow that cantilevers over the street to the north. The lower walls are clad with vertical slats of unfinished Robinia wood that echo the trees in a neighboring park.

In plan, the Center is a spiral that ascents on its self and articulates a planted green-roof and public terrace. To the north, at street level the façade appears to lift up to reveal a glazed entrance, finished with deep blue aluminum mullions. To maintain the visual integrity of the form, the architect inserted few windows along the ribbon wall—and those are fronted by slats that are rotated to allow for daylight and views.

Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
© Hufton+Crow

Surrounding the complex is a forecourt of polished, light grey concrete, flecked with bands of Belgium blue stone. These blue bands continue onto the ribbon walls and into the interior forming an irregular pattern that unifies the design.

Visitors enter the space to encounter a bright, open double-height lobby or “Forum”. Here skylights cut through the length of the crescent-shaped space at irregular intervals to usher in daylight, and create shifting patterns of natural illumination.

Soft grey concrete floors are cross-hatched with inlaid Belgium blue stone, and a sculptural grand staircase constructed of cast-in-place concrete and finished with a white gloss surface and blue stone steps that lead visitors to the upper auditorium floors.

The Center features three auditoriums of varying sizes: 500; 200; and 100 seats, each fitted with vibrant orange Tangram seats that Daniel Libeskind designed for Poltrona Frau/Cassina. In addition to the Forum, which can host special events, parties and temporary exhibits, the Center features a 380 sq. meter (4,090 sq. ft.) dedicated multi-event space as well as 16 meeting rooms of varying sizes and with flexible layouts.

SUSTAINABILITY

Highly energy efficient, with a green roof, passive shading, night cooling and fitted with photovoltaic cells, the MICX is on track to achieve Valideo status B, Belgium’s equivalent to LEED GOLD. 

“For me sustainable building is not a new design trend or an added feature, it is about common sense and quality. If you build in the right way using high-quality materials, innovation and technology, you will create something long lasting and sustainable,” said Daniel Libeskind.

Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
© Hufton+Crow


Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
SW Elevation
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
SE Elevation
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
NE Elevation
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
NW Elevation


Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
L-1 Isometric Section
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Level 0 Isometric Section
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Level 1 Isometric Section
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Level 2 Isometric Section
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Roof Isometric Section


Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Section
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Section


Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Site Plan Axis
Mons International Congress Xperience (MICX)
Site Plan Spiral

H2A Architecte
T +32 476 310801
H2A Architecte
Rue Pierre Decoster 88, 1190 Forest, Belgium
Studio Libeskind
T +1 212 4979100 F +1 212 2852130
Studio Libeskind
150 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, United States