ULiège Veterinary Clinic

Project: ULiège Veterinary Clinic
Architect: artau, architectures

Momentary association

Syntaxe

Programme: Veterinary Clinic

About: In copper tones, the new Université de Liège Veterinary Clinic stretches along Boulevard de Colonster, the site’s main axis. At first glance, passers-by, visitors, and users discover its metallic cladding made of patinated copper in a brown shade. This natural material immediately conveys the sustainable character of a building embedded in a wooded environment. Integration into the natural surroundings is one of the project’s key principles, with the building carefully “scaled” so as not to rise above the treetops. Over time, the copper — which requires no maintenance — will develop a patina, taking on blue and green hues that further strengthen its fusion with the landscape.
The abundance of natural light, enhancing the quality of the interior spaces, was also a fundamental concern of the project. The large ground-floor area called for generous daylight. Two patios, envisioned from the outset of the design process, create light wells at the heart of the building. The smaller, centrally located patio is directly connected to the circulation spaces organized around it. The second, larger patio shapes the entrance and guides visitors into the clinic.
Particular attention was paid to the openings distributed across the different levels of the building. Structuring the façades and reinforcing the building’s linear character, the thermally broken aluminium frames (double and triple glazing), in anthracite grey, are paired with high-performance, highly insulating clear glazing. Large translucent glazed sections, providing both openness to the surroundings and discretion, alternate with opaque enamelled glass panels in light grey tones.
During the design phase, careful thought was given to the overall harmony of the building, which expresses a light architectural composition: cut-outs, fragmented volumes (cantilevers), and a detailed study of their articulation ensure that the form does not appear overly imposing. By taking advantage of the site’s natural slope, the partially buried basement further reinforces the sense of integration with nature.