The 14th-century Benedenlakenhalle, together with the 16th-century Town Hall and part of the former Alderman’s House, forms an organically grown complex of buildings on Oudenaarde’s market square.
The rectangular two-story building is constructed of brick with a parement of Tournai stone. The wooden ceiling was replaced in the 17th century by a barrel vault and later by brick-pressed domed vaults.
At the time this room was used for weapons and ammunition storage, today it is part of the MOU, museum of Oudenaarde with a large tapestry and silver collection.
In 2023, the MOU was recognized as a supra-local museum by the Flemish government. This creates opportunities for a renewed museum operation and presentation. This includes the renovation of the Lower Cloth Hall into a high-quality museum hall that meets high loan requirements in terms of air conditioning, lighting and hanging systems.
DAUW Collective designed a new paneling with a classic three-part articulation of bottom plinth, centerpiece and cornice in natural light materials. This structure is subdivided by a gossamer steel frame. Infill panels add relief and tectonics to the wall.
The intervention respects the original rhythmic division of the bays and provides the space with a flexible hanging system for paintings, drawings, tapestries, etc….
