OFFICE 23

The rear of the Handelsbeurs concert hall, located in the centre of Ghent, is connected to the street by a bridge over the Ketelvest canal. More than simply providing access for deliveries and emergency vehicles, the bridge is an independent space that acts as the new entrance to the building. The bridge slopes – a consequence of the height differential between the two banks – but the incline is concealed behind the railings, which are a constant height of 2.40m. Rising high above head height at the entrance to the bridge, they decline to a 1.10m parapet on the opposite side. This feature exaggerates the perspectival view, an effect reinforced by the trapezoidal plan, with the width of the bridge decreasing towards the building. The span of 22m is closed by ten converging I-beams that support the non-structural railings. Approaching the bridge, its walls appear to be solid rather than transparent, as the eye is drawn towards the railing boards. Made of Azobe wood, these vertical boards are slotted between the horizontal boards of the deck and the resulting gaps are filled with anti-slip rubber. The bridge can be closed off with a sliding gate positioned on the street end, thus effectively extending the perimeter of the building with an added open room.