Maagdendale gatehouse
Religious buildings
Restoration and adaptive reuse of the 16th-century gatehouse of the former Maagdendale Abbey in Oudenaarde.
This characterful building, once the entrance to a Cistercian nunnery, is being given a new lease of life as part of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KABK).
Heritage
as a point of departure
Constructed in 1627, the gatehouse originally served as the main entrance to
the abbey complex and housed guest quarters for visitors. In the 19th century,
during the site's military use, the building was repurposed as a mess hall for
non-commissioned officers. Today, it stands as a remarkable testament to the
abbey’s original layout.
A meticulous historical and material-technical analysis has revealed rich traces of the past — including Gothic fireplaces, decorative beam anchors, and rare polychrome finishes. These discoveries form the foundation for a respectful restoration that prioritises the building’s legibility and conservation.
A new future
Following its restoration, the gatehouse will assume a (semi-)public role in
close connection with the operations of the adjacent Academy. The design
enables sustainable and flexible use, reintegrating the building meaningfully
into the Maagdendale site — and by extension, into the daily life of the city.
Interventions are deliberately restrained, aimed at enhancing the historic fabric: existing circulation routes are preserved, and all new additions are clear and considerate. An external access point allows for shared use without compromising the building’s original character.
In partnership with the City of Oudenaarde and the KABK, we are shaping a contemporary future for this exceptional piece of heritage.
