On 11 May 2020 Belgian architect Christian Kieckens passed away. Kieckens has played a significant role in the architectural world not only as an architect and an educator, but also because of his passion for art and culture. He helped to create the basis for the rich and diverse contemporary architectural culture of Flanders and Belgium.

The numerous reactions to his sudden death are a testament to his profound influence. Therefor we made an online book of condolence where you can pay a final tribute and leave a message.

In 2014, Christian Kieckens donated his extensive archive to the former Architectural Archives of the Province of Antwerp (now part of the Flanders Architecture Institute collection). This meticulously composed ensemble of artefacts spans his entire career from 1974 to the present day. For Kieckens, it had a clear task: “The archive preserves, reaches out and distances itself.”

The Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi), the Institut Culturel d’Architecture Wallonie-Bruxelles (ICA) and the Brussels centre for architecture and landscape (CIVA) launch a call to all architects, designers and spatial thinkers in order to provide answers to the spatial challenges of tomorrow in relation to the current crisis.