Shop

Under the influence of economic and technological developments, the shop has undergone profound changes over the past two centuries: from the passage and the simple shophouse via the shop window and the department store to large chain stores and shopping centres on the outskirts of the city. Changes in style and taste also determined the shop’s appearance. Architects and interior designers often left their mark on the design and layout of the commercial premises.

Shop
"Attractive shop fronts and shop windows are eye-catchers in the streetscape and the ideal way to attract the attention of the passer-by."
‐ Dirk Laureys, collection manager

Collection Library

Would you like to consult an archive?

Monday to Friday: from 9am to 5pm
Preferably by appointment
Weekends and Holidays: Closed
Closed: 23.12.2024-01.01.2025


The archive can be visited in groups. Requests for this need to be made at least 3 weeks in advance via architectuurarchief@vai.be.


Plan your visit

Archive Hub

Search and find archives within and outside the VAi Collection on the VAi Archive Hub


To the Archive Hub (Dutch only)

VAi Library

Browse through more than 10,000 books in our richly stocked library


To the catalog (Dutch only)