In a time when every square metre of public and semi‑public ground is under pressure, the transition zone deserves far more attention. This article focuses on a spot that looks insignificant at first sight, yet shows, fundamentally, how space can connect, slow us down and offer tranquillity without ever feeling imposed.
On Campus Gasthuisberg at KU Leuven, tucked between the imposing Onderwijs & Navorsing building and the Alma student restaurant, lies a terrace‑like space that initially seems straightforward. Slow down, however, and you will notice it is more than a functional shortcut. It links multiple entrances, supports daily flows and offers room for rest and chance encounters, without prescribing one single purpose. Ventilation grilles, discreetly integrated into the deck, hint at the technical layer below while never disturbing the calm. The result is a place that not only follows the rhythm of the campus day, but subtly shapes it.
Designing by Leaving Space
The strength of this Leuven corridor lies in what it deliberately leaves out. No overload of stimuli, no rigid routes, just simplicity, breathing room and soft transitions. Even though it sits between a hospital and university facilities, circulation does not follow a straight, regimented line. Paths meander as if naturally. Planting islands and shade‑giving trees are carefully aligned with the roof structure, soften the hard architecture that surrounds them. Changing light and seasonal greenery create an environment that breathes along with its users.
Furniture as a Silent Invitation
Every piece of street furniture is a quiet nudge rather than a loud instruction. The design team chose benches from the Tramet collection by Escofet 1886: low, robust wooden seats on a powder‑coated steel frame, intentionally without back‑ or arm‑rests. Anchored flush with the pavement, they adapt to the space instead of dominating it. For the mobile mix of students, researchers and staff, they invite sitting, resting or chatting—without telling anyone how to use them. Placed sometimes next to a green strip, sometimes free‑standing, they reinforce the feeling of freedom.
Waste bins, visually aligned with the benches, are equally functional and discreet. In a corridor that sees hundreds of people a day, many carrying food from Alma, they are essential for keeping the area clean while never stealing the scene.
A Mental Breathing Space
What emerges is a true buffer zone, a quiet pause between lectures, a calm moment between appointments, a spot to be alone or together. For students and staff, it is the ideal place to enjoy an outdoor lunch, bask in the sun or hide in the shade. This is a stay‑over space with natural shelter and clear sightlines that demands nothing yet allows everything, and that is precisely what makes it invaluable on a high‑pressure campus.
What This Place Teaches Us About Spatial Quality
This project demonstrates that circulation zones on campuses and hospital grounds can be meaningful when designed with attention to behaviour, rhythm and rest. Not through spectacle, but through refinement. The lesson reaches beyond disciplines: it is not about filling space, but about allowing possibilities. By selecting durable street furniture, flexible layouts and non‑directive elements, the design team created a space that simply works—unobtrusive yet used every single day.
A Breath Between Buildings
The in‑between space at Campus Gasthuisberg is not a destination in itself, and that is exactly why it matters. It proves that the most significant designs are often those that do not try to stand out, yet remain memorable. A space you pass through, which speaks to you differently depending on who you are and what you need. No spectacle, just meaning. No bustle, but calm. A breath of air in the heart of a dynamic campus environment.
Looking to create resilient, people‑centred transition zones on your own project? Discover how Servibo and Escofet 1886 street furniture can unlock value in the spaces in‑between..