Tweebronnen (the municipal library)
The building of the municipal library was originally designed by the famous Belgian architect Henry van de Velde. It was built between 1936 and 1942.
In 1990 this former Technical School was protected as a culturally and historically valuable building. Between 1994 and 2000 the building was converted into a public library and municipal archive office by amongst others Georges Baines (Antwerp).
Other functions were added to make this complex more relevant to the city: exhibition spaces, a café, a square, an auditorium and offices for various functions … The structure of the building has changed in line with the new requirements but the style of Henry van de Velde's building was maintained.
The architects took advantage of the functional change to highlight the municipal quality of the building. The former playground of the school is now a municipal meeting place.
Moreover, the building also has a transit function: there is an entrance in the Diestsestraat as well as in the Rijschoolstraat.
