A cascading contemporary wing has opened at Xavier Hufkens’s Saint-Georges outpost, almost tripling the floor space at the Brussels gallery.

Belgian firm Robbrecht & Daem designed the extension, which is in notable contrast with the 19th-century house the gallery has occupied since 1992. (The same practice originally repurposed the building).

The transformation was two years in the making and is described by Paul Robbrecht as ‘transcending the traditional white cube’ and reuniting ‘the old with the new, the intimate with the monumental’. Banks of skylights bring in natural light, and concrete staircases are punctuated by ribbon-like windows that introduce shafts of sun.

The transformation was two years in the making and is described by Paul Robbrecht as ‘transcending the traditional white cube’ and reuniting ‘the old with the new, the intimate with the monumental’. Banks of skylights bring in natural light, and concrete staircases are punctuated by ribbon-like windows that introduce shafts of sun.

‘Variations on light and proportion give each floor a distinct character, which will compel both artists and visitors,’ adds the architect.

Xavier Hufkens now stretches six stories, with the townhouse floors connected to the levels of the new extension. Four of these are dedicated to exhibition space, while the rest house offices, a library, and storage. The new extension is energy independent, using concrete core activation to heat and cool the building, as well as geothermal and solar power.

The first exhibition hosted in the new space is from Christopher Wool and features works in sculpture, paper, photography and paint from the artist, all made since 2018.

Rue Saint-Georges 6, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

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