Gertjan Debie shared the journey of transforming Ghent’s outdated technical documentation centre into a modern materials library featuring over 8,000 building material samples.
Student feedback revealed that the space felt uninviting and that students mainly relied on suppliers’ websites for technical information. This insight sparked the development of a new vision for the space.
With some smart budgeting and extra support from the Architecture Department, funding was secured to reimagine the centre. To better understand what was needed, conversations were held with Faculty—joining meetings wherever possible. One clear message that emerged was how vital the tactile experience of materials is to architectural education.
Recognising the importance of materiality in architecture, the team developed a clear mission and plan for the new materials library, placing physical samples at its core. The goal was to create a hands-on, loanable collection that would support teaching and learning.
Academics were consulted on which materials should be included and what metadata would be most useful. Gertjan also drew inspiration from leading international materials libraries and took us on a photographic tour of some amazing spaces.
The redesigned library is now a bright, welcoming environment that prioritises materials over print. It includes study areas and features sustainable design choices, such as recycled map cabinets. Each sample is RFID-tagged, allowing users to access detailed information via a custom-built database. All materials are available for loan and can be provided as teaching packs.
Gertjan’s presentation reinforced the value of stakeholder engagement and a clear vision as essential ingredients for successful library projects.
Review by: Elaine Cooke | Manchester Metropolitan University
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