CPFB Education Center by Archipelago: Transforming a Historic Post Office into a Modern Learning Hub

The CPFB Education Center, designed by archipelago in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, is a transformative renovation of the former post office into a dynamic learning hub for the University of Louvain (UCL). Covering 800 m² and completed in 2024, the project embodies adaptive reuse, co-creation, and activity-based design, blending historical preservation with modern educational strategies.

Preserving Heritage Through Renovation

Originally hosting several teaching courses and later a school for sound, the building’s original architectural clarity was obscured by acoustic insulation and overcompartmentalization. archipelago’s first intervention involved carefully dismantling the interior: salvaging concrete, restoring original brickwork, and preserving joinery and frames. The renovation emphasizes spatial openness, restoring the exceptional roof height and the interplay of beams and natural light through glass bricks, reconnecting the building with its architectural heritage.

Thoughtful Spatial Adaptation

The renovation strategy respects the building’s original form while enhancing thermal comfort, technology integration, and functional adaptability. Interventions are minimal, focusing only on previously modified walls. Notably, the east facade is adapted to improve ground floor continuity, creating a seamless transition between spaces for learning, collaboration, and social interaction.

Co-Creation for Inclusive Learning

Understanding the diverse needs of CPFB students and staff was central to the design process. archipelago implemented a co-creation approach, engaging future users to inform the spatial layout. Custom graphic documents helped map group dynamics, workplace needs, and connections between users, tools, and spaces. This collaborative process ensured that the final design would support flexible learning, team activities, and social development programs.

Activity-Based Design

Departing from traditional education design, the CPFB Education Center uses an activity-based approach, redefining how spaces function. Instead of assigning a fixed function to each room, places are designed for activities, while functions remain mobile. This allows students and staff to move freely, adapting spaces to the task at hand, promoting flexibility, collaboration, and modern pedagogical methods.

A Modern Learning Hub

Today, the CPFB Education Center exemplifies the potential of adaptive reuse in educational architecture, balancing historic preservation with future-ready learning environments. Its design prioritizes light, openness, flexibility, and user engagement, creating a vibrant center for social development, professional training, and innovative learning experiences.

All photographs are works of  Johnny Umans, archipelago, Gil Plaquet