JOINT FREE TERRAZZO FLOORING
The big challenge for architect Stephane Beel was to double the size of the museum and to present a contemporary and decolonised vision of Africa in a building which had been designed as a colonial museum.
Access to the museum is now through the new modern visitor centre where the floor is made with a SIB EXTREME STYLE in a neutral grey micro terrazzo.
The visitor walks along the new underground gallery on a white micro terrazzo made from SIB EXTREME STYLE. Then they head into the basement of the former edifice that is paved with a traditional concrete floor look created from a SIB DEKODUR, before resurfacing on the ground floor where the permanent exhibition is housed.
Connecting the new visitors centre with the old colonial museum through the under ground gallery Stepane Beel has made it possible to maintain the original park and greatness of the old colonial museum.
In the basement of the museum, an introductory exhibition looks at the past, the present and the future prospects of the institution. On the ground floor, the exhibition is divided up into five thematic zones, for the most part dedicated to Central Africa.
In the inner courtyard of the museum building, a light shaft has made it possible to create a space for musical workshops. The tiered seating is ideal for open air theatre.
The listed building was renovated and restored in keeping with the original plans which date back to the end of 19th century, whilst at the same time incorporating modern techniques.
The floors at the African museum are 2 floors with Extreme Style and one with Dekodur and made by Concrete Masters in Belgium.
