Welcome to De Krook, the inspiration site for knowledge, culture and innovation!
Since 2017, De Krook is one of the most striking architectural landmarks in Ghent. Among other things, the multi-award-winning building on a bend or crook in the Scheldt River houses the public city library, Ghent University labs and offices and the nanoelectronics and digital technology research centre imec. As well as a café with a terrace overlooking the Scheldt curve and the city centre.
Rent a meeting room in De Krook
De Krook Library
Ghent's main library – as well as the branch libraries scattered throughout the city - is a place open for everyone to read, learn and live; it is a place of knowledge, language and stories. Not only does it have a fascinating collection, here you can participate in activities that add an extra dimension to the collection as well.
imec
As a world-renowned research centre, imec believes in the contribution of technology to a better future. Locally, it puts that vision into practice by supporting Flemish companies and governments in their sustainable innovation.
Ghent University
De Krook is a showcase for UGent research. Visitors can experiment with the latest technologies such as virtual reality and 3D audio or think along about the future of the city in the co-creation room. Five research groups from four different faculties have offices here: you’ll find communication scientists (mict), educationalists (Culture & Education), art scientists (IPEM) and engineers (IDLab).
Comon
Comon wants to make Ghent a better, more pleasant and wiser city. With technology as part of the solution. How? By collecting challenges, coming up with solutions, making them and testing them. Together with all the people of Ghent.
Comon is a collective of scientists, technologists and creatives made up of Krook residents and Ghent citizens.
Urgent.fm
Urgent.fm, the Ghent university media lab and quirky city station, broadcasts from De Krook. It is a place where a committed team of volunteers experiments with media tools, creates audio formats and realises radio projects. Urgent.fm broadcasts 24/7 on 105.3FM in Greater Ghent or can be listened to via the website Urgent.fm.
Krookcafé
This is the place for breakfast, brunch, lunch, cake and aperitif. Enjoy the view of the Scheldt or the three towers. Book readings, small concerts and other convivial gatherings also take place here regularly. Moreover, the café can provide all catering for your meetings and events at De Krook.
Study and work
At De Krook you can study and work for free. Do reserve your spot in advance.
Digipunt and advice points
Digipunt provides free advice on the use of your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone, and offers help with homework on PC. CLB, De Stap, Steunpunt voor Inclusie and Wetswinkel too give tailored advice
Fietsambassade
Fietspunt Onder De Krook, located in the bicycle park on -2, offers bicycle repair or hire.
Cultuurconnect
Cultuurconnect informs, inspires and helps the cultural sector to keep up with digital innovation. Technology and digitization have an increasing impact on people's daily lives and their cultural experience. From its social mission, Cultuurconnect stimulates digital innovation in the sector of local libraries, performance houses and local governments.
Winter Circus
The Winter Circus - formerly Mahy garage - was long underused but has been renovated. As of 2023 you ’ll find the offices of start-up and scale-up companies around its covered central courtyard. And there is space for a café, a restaurant, a shop and offices for digital innovation companies.