OYO Architects, with offices in Ghent and Barcelona, have transformed the monumental 125-year-old Wintercircus building in Ghent into a dynamic technological and cultural hub. Originally erected in 1885 as a circus and later repurposed as a garage, the 4,830 m² structure now houses a vibrant campus supporting local technology entrepreneurs, artists, and the wider community. This adaptive reuse preserves the building’s robust historic fabric while aligning with Ghent’s ambitions for innovation, sustainability, and cultural vitality.
Historical Context
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1885: Constructed as the ‘New Circus’ by architect Emile De Weerdt.
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1920: Devastated by fire; rebuilt in 1923.
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Post-WWII: Converted into a car workshop by Ghislain Mahy, losing much of the original circus interior.
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2005-2015: Structural renovations by BARO and SUMproject preserved the historic shell.
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2020: Leased for 75 years by TENT, a consortium dedicated to technological innovation and community development.
Design Concept
The Wintercircus project revitalizes the building’s interior with a human-scaled, warm, and adaptable design that fosters spontaneous interactions and collaboration among entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and creatives. OYO Architects have drawn inspiration from the building’s circus past through a vibrant color palette, evocative textures, and versatile spatial arrangements.
Key Spaces & Features
Arena
At the heart of Wintercircus lies the Arena—a flexible event space that hosts presentations, art installations, and community gatherings. The Arena showcases the building’s monumental industrial qualities, enhanced by a striking movable neon light installation suspended from the ceiling.
Start-ups Campus
Spanning multiple levels, this area accommodates over thirty start-ups in open, naturally lit workspaces designed for collaboration and comfort. Interiors feature large windows, recycled furniture, and a vibrant palette of greens, yellows, and reds complementing exposed brick and wood textures.
Auditorium
Overlooking the Arena, the glass-walled Auditorium seats more than 100 people and serves as an ideal venue for conferences and presentations, fostering knowledge exchange and community engagement.
Expo Space
A large, adaptable ground-floor area designed for exhibitions, fitness classes, and diverse events, further supporting Wintercircus’s multifunctional role.
Gastronomic Facilities
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Bar Bougie: Located in the former grease works of the garage, this café balances industrial structure with warm wood and lighting, creating an inviting urban atmosphere.
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Sushi Restaurant: Positioned on the first floor, offering a refined dining experience within the tech and cultural hub.
Sustainability & Materiality
True to its vision as a sustainable tech hub, the project emphasizes circular economy principles. OYO incorporated robotics during construction, repurposed electronic waste, and used second-hand or locally sourced materials for furniture. This ecological approach enriches the eclectic mix of contemporary and historic elements.
Impact & Vision
Wintercircus is more than a building—it’s a catalyst for Ghent’s cultural and economic growth. By fostering innovation and creativity within a heritage framework, it unites diverse communities under one roof, enhancing the city’s vibrancy while respecting its past and future aspirations.
Photography: Farah Lieten & Karen Van der Biest
- adaptive reuse architecture
- adaptive reuse of circus building
- Belgian architectural projects
- circular economy architecture
- collaborative workspace design
- community-focused architecture
- cultural and technological hub
- flexible event space architecture
- Ghent architecture projects
- heritage building repurposing
- historic building renovation
- industrial heritage renovation
- Innovative cultural spaces
- neon light installation art
- robotics in construction
- sustainable interior design
- tech startup campus design
- Wintercircus Arena Ghent
- Wintercircus Ghent by OYO Architects
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