designboom · Creativity & design

Design Museum Gent Reopens with New Wing

Design Museum Gent has reopened after a four-year renovation, featuring a new wing built from locally sourced waste bricks. The project aims to make the museum an open civic space examining design's impact.

The 2,200 sqm expansion by Carmody Groarke and ATAMA integrates with historic buildings. Its facade uses 'Gent Waste Brick,' made from municipal waste via a low-energy lime-curing process, producing over 82,000 bricks.

The exhibition 'Collection. Models from the Past for the Future' reinterprets the 24,000-piece collection through contemporary themes, questioning historical design's relevance.

'Public Matter(s): Design and Democracy' views democratic systems as designed structures, exploring accessibility and participation.

AI-powered 'Searcher' allows visitors to explore the collection associatively. 'CO-LAB' uses historic rooms for collaborative projects between designers, researchers, and communities.

The renovation prioritized material reuse. The new wing references Ghent's architecture while maintaining a contemporary presence.

The museum now includes six zones: art handling, reception, lecture space, workshops, exhibition space, and an event space.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.