Footpath between campuses to become eye-catcher at Limburg DC

Limburg DC has a new eye-catcher. The first of two new walking paths has opened today on the campus in Diepenbeek. The walkable artwork 'Forest Track', designed by architecture studio Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, winds elevated through the nature reserve and connects the Health Campus with the Construction Campus. The path combines a practical function with a special architectural experience.

With the new path, the campus will not only gain a shorter route between two frequently used zones, but also a striking new feature in the landscape. Those walking from the Health Campus to the Construction Campus will henceforth do so via a route that meanders between trees and water.

Through forest and water
The path runs through a forest managed by Natuurpunt, which also serves as a water buffer. Because the water level can fluctuate significantly, the walking path was built higher up. This way, it seemingly floats through the landscape, without major interventions in the environment and preserving as many trees as possible.

"One of our aims was to respect nature while also making the campus more accessible," says Deputy for Economy and chairman of POM Limburg, Tom Vandeput. "With this path, we are connecting the Health Campus and the Construction Campus in a way that enhances the environment rather than disturbing it."

A winding design
The design is by Belgian architect duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, known for their sculptural interventions in the landscape. Instead of a straight line, the path winds between the trees and past clearings in the forest. The construction of corten steel and ochre-coloured concrete gives the whole a warm, earthy appearance.

"The shape and trajectory of the path emerged from the terrain and the existing trees," says architect Pieterjan Gijs. "We looked for a route between the trees, in order to minimise the impact on the existing trees as much as possible." This resulted in a winding path that bends through the landscape. In some places it curves around trees, in others they stand within cut-outs in the walkway. The route leads past various zones in the forest: densely overgrown parts, open forest clearings that can flood at high water, and the forest edge with views of the landscape. This creates a layered spatial experience of the forest.

More than a connection
The elevated path is not only a faster route between two campuses but also a place to experience the landscape. It runs through various zones in the forest: densely vegetated areas, open forest clearings, marshy zones that can flood at high water, a pond, and the edge of the woodland with views of the landscape. This creates a layered spatial experience of the forest. The route invites you to pause and view the area from a different perspective.

"Gijs Van Vaerenbergh previously created the 'see-through church' in Borgloon on behalf of the provincial government, which became a tourist attraction," says Tom Vandeput. "Here too, we are looking beyond a purely functional connection. This footpath is an architectural asset and an added tourist value for the campus. Soon, not only students and staff will be able to use it, but also residents of Diepenbeek and Godsheide. When the campus is fully completed, they will be able to fully enjoy the new park and public green spaces here."

For campus users, the path also represents a considerable time saving. Cumbersome routes are replaced by one clear connection. "Where the walk from the Construction Campus to the Health Campus used to take thirteen minutes, you can now get there in four minutes," says Tom Vandeput. "You feel that difference immediately."

First of two
With this inauguration, only the connection between the Health Campus and the Construction Campus has been opened for now. This is the first of two planned walking paths on Limburg DC. The second walking path, which will connect to UHasselt's bus stop square, will be opened this summer.