Photos identify, study and document buildings. They register the built environment and record an evolving, transient or bygone reality. Visual material occupies an important place in the collection of the Flanders Architecture Institute. It consists of negatives, slides, prints and films, both in black and white and in colour.
For architectural historians, photographs are a natural and indispensable part of their studies. They provide information about moments of interest, such as exhibitions, fairs, trips or meetings. The medium can also be used artistically, when photographs showcase the architectural qualities of a building or are in themselves art objects.
"Our collection comprises about some 15,000 photos, negatives and slides."‐ Wim Luyckx, collection manager
Emile Thielens, art nouveau kiosk on the Groenplaats in Antwerp, 1903
Louis Delacenserie, Central Station in Antwerp, c. 1905
Léon Stynen, interior of the Decorative Arts Pavilion for the Antwerp World's Fair of 1930
Jan Vanhoenacker, Jos Smolderen en Emiel Van Averbeke, the Boerentoren in Antwerp shortly before the completion, c. 1930
Alfons Francken, social housing complex in Antwerp, 1934
Left Bank of the River Scheldt in Antwerp, 1930s
Léon Stynen, house Van Thillo in Antwerp (Ekeren), c. 1938
Eduard Van Steenbergen, sanatorium De Mick in Brasschaat, mid 1930s
Léon Stynen, Paul De Meyer and Paul Meekels, school Peter Pan in Saint-Gilles, 1960s
Paul Meekels, industrial building Janssen Pharmaceutica in Beerse, c. 1955
Renaat Braem, house Alsteens in Overijse, c. 1969Would you like to consult an archive?
Monday to Friday: from 9am to 5pm
Preferably by appointment
Weekends and Holidays: Closed
Closed: 25.12.2023-31.12.2023
The archive can be visited in groups. Requests for this need to be made at least 3 weeks in advance via architectuurarchief@vai.be.
Looking for a particular archive or item? Dive into our online inventory.
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