Belgium House

Belgium House (Hebrew: בית בלגיה, Beit Belgia) is a guesthouse, club, and event venue located on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. It serves the university's academic staff and hosts a variety of events, exhibitions, lectures, and courses that are not part of the university's formal academic program. The building is named after Queen Fabiola of Belgium. The structure was built in 1967 by contractor Daniel Ben Menashe, based on a design by architect Ze'ev Rechter. It is architecturally distinct from the other buildings on the Givat Ram campus, which are typically built in the international style with straight vertical walls. In contrast, Belgium House consists of two connected circular buildings. The design incorporated two pre-existing features: a round water reservoir that became the foundation of the smaller circular building, which houses the dining room, and a large tree around which the main circular building was constructed. The main building features a central courtyard with the tree at its center, and a covered arcade with arches allows entry into the courtyard. The dining room's narrow windows were designed in the style of the embrasures of Jerusalem's city walls, referencing traditional Jerusalem architecture. In June 2012, the building reopened after a year-long renovation. In 2019, it was temporarily converted to accommodate the company Lightricks, which needed additional space, and it is expected to return to the Hebrew University's use in 2024. The venue includes a sculpture garden, a restaurant, guest rooms, and meeting rooms.

Belgium House was established in 1967 on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The building was designed by architect Ze'ev Rechter and constructed by contractor Daniel Ben Menashe. It was named after Queen Fabiola of Belgium, reflecting a connection between Belgium and the university. The design of Belgium House is notable for its departure from the prevailing international style of the campus. It consists of two interconnected circular structures. The smaller circular building was built on the foundation of a pre-existing round water reservoir that served the university; this building houses the dining room. The larger circular building was constructed around a large tree, which remains at the center of its inner courtyard. A covered arcade with arches provides access to the courtyard. The dining room's narrow windows were designed to resemble the embrasures of Jerusalem's city walls, a nod to traditional Jerusalem architecture. Over the decades, Belgium House has served as a guesthouse, club, and event venue for the university's academic staff. It includes a sculpture garden, a restaurant, guest rooms, and meeting rooms, and hosts various events, exhibitions, lectures, and courses that are not part of the official academic curriculum. In June 2012, the building reopened after a year-long renovation. In 2019, it was temporarily repurposed to house the company Lightricks, which required additional space. According to plans, the building is expected to return to the Hebrew University's use in 2024.

• 2024

  The building is expected to return to the Hebrew University's use.

• 2019

  The building is temporarily converted to house the company Lightricks.

• 2012

  The building reopens in June after a year-long renovation.

• 1967

  Belgium House is built on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

A unique hospitality and cultural venue for the Hebrew University's academic community, housed in a distinctive circular building.

Product categories. Guest rooms · Restaurant · Meeting rooms · Event spaces · Sculpture garden

1. 1Official websitebb.huji.ac.il
2. 2Belgium House - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3בית בלגיה - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org