A contemplative study room for students in Hasselt turns out to have been a prison cell. A facade introduces reading into the city and gives the Plantin-Moretus Museum collection a (protective) face. In their projects, noAarchitects try to go beyond the visual experience to arrive at an all-round spatial experience.
NoAarchitects have been able to create a form profile for themselves from the very beginning, with both notable small buildings and several large-scale public buildings including the Petrol electricity cabin in Antwerp and the spatial metamorphosis of Menen town hall.
In the course of time a seemingly intuitive design approach transformed into a proper design strategy. noAarchitects takes up a position subtly reconciling the principal, the building/assignment and the future user. The firm sometimes even opts for different approaches within a single building. The result is contradiction and complexity. An ambiguity which this collective explores by means of a meticulous plan and a precise selection of colours and materials. This architecture is never neutral. It is intended to uplift, but never becomes pedantic. It is specific, offers a tailormade location and gives an almost ritual dimension to everyday actions.
The exhibition will be an installation that invites the visitor to walk, see, feel, study and think.
Guided Tours
Guided tours on Sunday 5 October, 9 November, 7 December 2014 at 2 p.m., 5 euro
tickets@desingel.be or +32 3 248 28 28
A group guided tour by appointment is also possible, max. 20 persons, 60 euro, reservations on www.antwerpenaverechts.be
Vernissage
Free opening lecture by Stephen Bates - Sergison Bates architects (UK-CH) on Thursday 25 September at 8 p.m. - Blue hall in deSingel. Signing up for this lecture is necessary.
Practical information
open from Wednesday until Sunday from 2 until 6 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday.
entry price: 5 euro
tickets for sale at entrance of the exhibition.
Project sponsors: ELIA, Febelcem, FSB, Hasselt University, Vande Moortel materials
Material, furniture and constructions: Alucobond, Anders Construct, Artek, Bruns, Forbo Flooring, Kree interieur, Richard Lampert, Vandommele VCS, Verstraetebouw
Curator: Katrien Vandermarliere, Christoph Grafe (Flemish Architecture Institute)
Production: noAarchitects, Flemish Architecture Institute, deSingel International Arts Campus