Provinciaal Hof
The Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Palace) is a listed monument on the Grote Markt in Bruges that, after years of inactivity, has been renovated and given a new purpose as a vibrant, contemporary visitor and information center. FELT won the WinVorm competition for the design of the new center and event spaces within this 19th-century neo-Gothic palace. Their proposal reimagined the ground floor as an extension of the public space, creating a central plaza within the historic decorum.
Every aspect of the renovation was carefully planned, respecting the building’s character while anticipating future uses. Improving accessibility and comfort was a major focus given the complexity of the structure. The large hall now acts as the heart of the building, directing visitors to the various parts of the center and exhibition spaces. The non-original natural stone floor from the 1990s was replaced with a new terrazzo floor featuring an oversized checkered pattern, subtly referencing the original articulation of separate rooms while creating a unified forum. A metal grid embedded in the floor integrates state-of-the-art technical solutions, offering plug-and-play nodes for flexible event setups.
The forum is flanked by supporting functions organized in the side wings. In the south wing, a new elevator, carefully inserted within the historic structure, creates a much-needed logistic link, greatly facilitating the movement of staff and catering services to the authentic interiors on the upper floors. In the north wing, a new stairway connects the forum to new lavatories and cloakroom
facilities.
On the first floor, the historic rooms provide a grand setting for conference and meeting facilities. These interiors were stripped of low-quality interventions and updated to meet contemporary standards of comfort and functionality, while preserving their historic character.
