Design by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh connects sub-campuses in Diepenbeek
On the Limburg DC campus in Diepenbeek, construction has started on two new walking paths. The design by architect duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh connects the Construction Campus, the Health Campus, and UHasselt’s bus stop square. The paths run elevated through the natural area, making the crossing shorter, more comfortable, and dry.
“One of our objectives has always been to restore nature while also making the campus more accessible,” says Tom Vandeput, Deputy for Economy and Chairman of POM Limburg. “With these new paths, we achieve both: soon, those walking from the Construction Campus to the Health Campus will need barely three and a half minutes, along a route that feels like a true discovery through nature.”
Architectural Lines
The elevated structures consist of eleven segments currently being assembled one by one. They wind between the trees and seem to float above the landscape. The steel structure receives a warm finish in light ocher concrete and corten steel, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. A test installation was built earlier to trial drainage and finishing details, which have since been approved.
A Complex Realization
Building these structures is no simple feat. The construction takes place in a wooded, marshy area with ponds, limiting accessibility and workspace. Precision is also key: carefully designed segments are mounted on-site to achieve the irregular shapes and floating effect. Logistics require extra planning and accuracy, as heavy elements must be transported and installed in a fragile natural environment. Together, this makes the project a technical showcase where architecture, engineering, and nature management work hand in hand.
More Than a Path
These connections are more than shortcuts. The design places nature at the center while also creating places to slow down. The meandering shape preserves existing trees and constantly reveals new views. At the grassland, a lowered section becomes a lookout point; by the pond, the path transforms into a jetty; and along the route, benches invite passersby to rest. Thus, the walking routes become both practical connections and spaces for meeting and experience.
“The paths are works of art in themselves,” emphasizes Tom Vandeput. “They weave like a lively line drawing between trees and ponds. Students and researchers gain not only a shorter route but also a place to pause and engage with the environment.”
Investment in the Future
The technical design comes from D+A consult; execution is handled by De Dender Wegenis en Rioleringswerken (main contractor), CEVAN Metalworks, and Van Aken Schoeffunderingen. The project, carried out with the support of VLAIO, strengthens Limburg DC as a green and accessible campus for education and research.
