Following an extensive renovation, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) has been transformed into a unique combination of art, architecture and technical innovation. Museum builder Meyvaert was responsible for the design of the exhibition spaces, while AGC Glass Europe supplied the glazing solutions that provide fire protection, visual comfort and transparency throughout the museum.
At the heart of the renovated museum, an impressive atrium floods the galleries with natural daylight. To create large, uninterrupted glazed areas while ensuring the required level of fire protection, the designers selected Pyrobel 25 EG Vision Line. The system allows fire-resistant glazing to be installed without vertical profiles and can also be used for corner applications. The result is a virtually uninterrupted glass wall that provides excellent visibility and unobstructed sightlines towards the artworks.
The museum's exhibition cases and display frames are fitted with Clearsight, AGC's high-performance anti-reflective glass. Its virtually invisible appearance significantly improves the visitor's view of the artworks by minimising distracting reflections.
Fire protection without compromising transparency
The new atrium is one of the architectural highlights of the renovated KMSKA. To preserve the openness of the space while meeting stringent fire safety requirements, the designers selected Pyrobel 25 EG Vision Line.
Unlike conventional fire-resistant glazed walls, Vision Line creates continuous glass partitions without vertical profiles. The fire-resistant panes are connected by a transparent silicone joint of only 4–5 mm, resulting in uninterrupted sightlines and a remarkably light architectural appearance. The system can also be installed in corner configurations, giving architects greater design freedom.
Tested for interior applications up to EI60 in accordance with EN 13501-2, the glazing combines certified fire protection with outstanding visual comfort. It also provides 43 dB acoustic insulation and 82% visible light transmission, helping to create bright, quiet gallery spaces filled with natural daylight.
Virtually invisible glazing for 61 display cases
Transparency is equally important when it comes to displaying works of art. All 61 display cases and exhibition frames at KMSKA are fitted with Clearsight anti-reflective glass from AGC Glass Europe.
The difference compared with conventional glass is immediately noticeable. Standard float glass, commonly used in shop windows, reflects around 8% of visible light. Clearsight's special anti-reflective coating reduces visible light reflection to less than 1%, while achieving up to 98% visible light transmission.
The result is highly transparent, colour-neutral glazing that becomes almost invisible to the visitor, allowing the focus to remain entirely on the artwork.
A balance of protection, comfort and visibility
At KMSKA, glazing plays a fundamental role in the visitor experience. From the large fire-resistant glass walls of the central atrium to the virtually invisible glazing protecting the museum's precious artworks, AGC glass combines demanding technical performance with the transparency required in a contemporary museum environment.
