Flanders, the new BRUSK exhibition space will open in Bruges, and the entire museum area will be renovated

The city of Bruges is preparing to enter a new cultural era with the opening of the BRUSK cultural hub, scheduled for December 2025. Located in the medieval heart of the city, the new building will be the focal point of an overall renovation project for the entire museum area, called the Bruges Museum Quarter. BRUSK will address the need for exhibition space to host exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art. It will also be equipped with space and facilities to store and conserve art collections, The project has received strong support from the Flemish government, with funding of 27.2 million euros that will make its realization possible, the total cost of which is 47.5 million euros.

Design and architecture

The project was entrusted to Robbrecht and Daem Architects and Olivier Salens Architects, in collaboration with real estate developer CIT Red. BRUSK will integrate sustainability, architectural innovation and harmony with its surroundings. BRUSK is designed to be a welcoming, transparent and easily accessible place. On the ground floor will be essential spaces such as a reception desk, a museum store, workshops, an auditorium, and a restaurant. On the second floor are two large rooms, equipped to host large international exhibitions. These rooms will be distinguished by natural lighting from the north, the same lighting that characterized the studios of classical artists. In addition, the exhibition spaces will be able to be adapted to create separate areas, allowing them not only to display artwork and organize quality exhibitions, but also to host dance, theater, and music events.

Prestigious exhibitions and a new research center

Each year BRUSK will host at least five prestige exhibitions ranging from ancient to modern and contemporary art, connecting Musea Brugge’s rich historical collections with new and surprising narratives. The BRUSK exhibitions will be designed to combine art and heritage from different periods and continents with today’s world and to stimulate visitors, encouraging them to deepen their knowledge and make a deeper connection with what they observe.

Next to the BRUSK will rise BRON, a new research center for Musea Brugge. This space will be dedicated to the study of the collections, fostering collaboration between scholars, academics, guides, students and museum staff. It will also be a place where it will be possible to consult books, browse trade journals, or brainstorm on new projects. Central elements of BRON will include a museum library and a consultation area for prints and drawings.

A new museum park and logistics wing

The Groeninge Museum and chapel, which currently form the entrance to the museum complex, will also be included in the master plan and undergo a thorough renovation. All the buildings in the complex-BUSK, BRON and the Groeninge Museum-will be surrounded by a new museum park. This green space will become a meeting point in the heart of the city, enhanced by trees, plants and a section of the Reie River, which will be integrated into the park as a prominent feature.

The BRUSK and Groeninge Museum exhibition halls will be connected by a logistics wing. The addition of this space not open to the public represents a significant enhancement of Musea Brugge’s facilities. New facilities include restoration laboratories, a multipurpose room for photography and scientific research, and a new storage facility for the preservation of the most sensitive collections: the collection of paintings (nearly 2,000 ) and the collection of works on paper (more than 20,000 prints and drawings). In total, an additional 1,100 square meters will be made available for the care and conservation of the works.

Sustainability

The BRUSK will take concrete sustainability measures in line with the plan developed by Musea Brugge. Priority will be given to modular set design, reuse of materials, sustainable transportation, use of digital alternatives to paper, and local and vegetarian catering for events and openings. BRUSK also aims to become a focal point in debates on art, culture and ecology, promoting active participation.

The architecture of the buildings will also reflect a commitment to sustainability: the roofs of the two exhibition halls and the west facade of the largest hall will be completely covered with dark green glass panels that can generate electricity. This system will provide twice the energy efficiency of current standards. In addition, the entire complex will be designed according to circular building principles.

The renovation of the Groeninge Museum and Chapel is an important step toward energy-efficient buildings in Bruges. All structures in the complex will be connected to a BEO (well energy storage) system for winter heating and summer cooling. In the future, other buildings in the Museum Quarter, such as the Coach House and Arents House, will also be connected to a district heating network.

Key timelines

November 7, 2025: Opening of BRON

December 2025 - March 2026: Inaugural festival of the BRUSK

May 2026: Official opening of exhibitions at the BRUSK

2027 - 2029: Renovation of the Groeninge Museum

Spring 2029: Opening of the renovated Groeninge Museum

2030: Realization of the museum park

Photo © Femke den Hollander

Rendering © Design by Robbrecht and Daem architecten and Olivier Salens architecten, Image by MakeMe

Flanders, the new BRUSK exhibition space will open in Bruges, and the entire museum area will be renovated

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