On Thursday 20 November 2025, the Flanders Architecture Institute organises its annual research day in De Singel in Antwerp. Entitled Hors catégorie, it explores how archival classifications shape – but also limit – our understanding of design heritage.
Each year, the Flanders Architecture Institute organises a research day to facilitate exchange between our activities and the wider research community. The event explores topical research questions which also concern the ongoing projects of the Flanders Architecture Institute’s Knowledge Centre and Collection. We reflect on questions which are relevant to researchers as well as the heritage sector.
More about the VAi Knowledge Centre More about the VAi CollectionThis year’s edition explores how archival classifications shape – but also limit – our understanding of design heritage. How do we categorise objects, disciplines, and forms of authorship and what blind spots are produced through these systems? How can we consider practices that elude, transcend, or contest conventional institutional and historical classification? What to do with practices hors catégorie?
The programme of the research day consists of a keynote performance, three thematic sessions with national and international guests, and a keynote lecture by Anna-Maria Meister.
20.11.2025
09:30u - 19:00u
DE SINGEL (Muziekstudio)
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerpen
Flanders Architecture Institute
Janno Martens
janno.martens@vai.be
There are spaces reserved for wheelchair users in all halls of DE SINGEL. Please contact us in advance at janno.martens@vai.be so that we can reserve a space for you. You can use an elevator to reach the halls. Enter through the main entrance of DE SINGEL and make your way down the ramp to the left of the stairs to take the lift. Read more about the accessibility