The Architectural Archives of the Province of Antwerp and the Flanders Architecture Institute are hosting an international conference as a prelude to ‘Stynen Year’ in 2018. Belgian designer Léon Stynen (1899-1990) epitomises an entire generation of post-war modernist architects whose oeuvres and profiles share many similarities. Typically, these architects were part of a strong national and international network; up-to-date and knowledgeable; prolific and varied builders (which points to great ideological flexibility); consummate professionals; able to access large-scale and visible commissions.
Several eminent scholars and architectural institutes have already confirmed their participation in the conference. Contributors will discuss Léon Stynen and his contemporaries from the viewpoint of their surviving archives. Presentations will be given by, amongst others, the AzW (Vienna, Austria), Benaki Museum/National Architecture Archives (Athens, Greece) and the research unit Storia dell’Architettura of the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona, Italy).
The conference convenes on Thursday 7 December, with a full day of presentations, followed by a keynote evening lecture (speaker to be confirmed). Presentations continue the next morning, with the conference concluding at midday on Friday 8 December. Delegates are invited to register for tours of Stynen’s buildings in Antwerp on Friday afternoon.
This conference is generously supported by the cultural heritage department of the Flemish Government and aims to foster an international exchange of information about Léon Stynen and his contemporaries. Furthermore, it wishes to address the preservation and interpretation of their buildings and archives from a contemporary perspective.