User:Bangiomorpha/Amicale Solvay à Couillet

The Amicale Solvay located in Couillet, a section of the Belgian city of Charleroi, is an important brick building with a flat roof built in 1937-1939 which houses, among other things, a swimming pool, an auditorium and a restaurant.

The building was commissioned to the architect Eléazar Cozac (1893-1977) by the Solvay company.

History


The building was built for Solvay factory personnel, and the pool also opened its doors for schools and clubs in the region.

The construction began in 1937 and was completed in 1938 to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary.

Until 1994 it remained owned by the multinational Solvay until the ULB purchased it. In 1998 the pool was permanently abandoned due to the cost of maintenance and repair.

In 2000 the IPW (Institut du Patrimoine Wallon) listed the building as a Walloon heritage site.

In 2005, the old pool was purchased by the nonprofit CIECD (European Islamic Center for Culture and Dialogues) without finalizing the works due to financial problems.

In 2017 an estimate was prepared that estimated the renovation work and at 50,000€. This amount was not feasible for the owner and therefore the building remains untouched.

Currently, the deterioration of the building is advancing and a health board has been advanced on the urgent work to be done.

Architecture
This modernist building, designed by architect Eléazar Cozac (1893-1977), was constructed to accommodate a swimming pool, a 700-seat theater, a casino, a restaurant, and provide other multifunctional spaces.

The façade is hollowed out in its center by a large semicircle housing the hall and the monumental stairwell lit by a circular glass roof. On either side is a narrow canopy giving verticality and lightness to the facade. The other sides are pierced by high windows with metal frames.

This building was made in two copies, perfectly identical. The second one is located in Jemeppe-sur-Sambre.

A very beautiful medal representing this monument has been executed.

External websites
https://www.aworldinruins.co.uk/amicale-solvay-belgium-urbex

https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/amicale-solvay-charelroi-belgium-november-2019.37432/