Marie-Jose Van Hee at here drawing table, from the documentary 'De Architecte', 2022 Klara-VAi

press release

A walk with Marie-José Van Hee

Exhibition in De Singel is unique voyage of discovery into the world of Marie-José Van Hee architecten

In 1993, as a young architect, Marie-José Van Hee exhibited her work at DE SINGEL. At that point, it was already clear that she would have a lasting influence on the architectural landscape in Belgium and far beyond. Almost 30 years and 400 projects later, the Flanders Architecture Institute is again inviting this grande dame of the Belgian architecture scene to stage an exhibition.

In Marie-José Van Hee architecten. A walk not only are you introduced to her work, but you also walk through that of other architects, artists and thinkers. Marie-José Van Hee: “As an architect you cannot be an ego tripper. The whole point is that you are working with and for people.”

Exhibition
from 30.11.2022 to 21.05.2023

Opening Event
on 29.11.2022 at 8pm

Flanders Architecture Institute in De Singel, Antwerp

to the press kit

Marie-José Van Hee architecten, Zuidzande, The Netherlands (Beeld: Thomas Hick)

exhibition

Marie-José Van Hee architecten

a walk

As the title already suggests, the exhibition is conceived as a walking route, or rather two walking routes: the GR5A (the long route) and the PR5A (the short route). The names allude to the Grandes Randonées, the famous walking routes in France and Italy that are so close to Marie-José’s heart. Walking is an important part of Van Hee’s life: “For me it is time and space, the ultimate kind of freedom.” In her designs you will never encounter a dead-end corridor; Van Hee always provides a circuit. And there’s a reason for this. Says Marie-José Van Hee: “As a child I lived in a house where I had to walk through my parent’s bedroom to go to the toilet. Since then, I always provide a way out in my designs, a path to freedom.” The PR5A route points to the exhibition hall, where the curators have constructed a version of Marie-José’s own home. The house has many rooms, and every room alludes to an important part of the oeuvre of Marie-José Van Hee architecten.

City Hall Ghent, Marie-José Van Hee with Robbrecht Daem architecten (image: Filip Dujardin)

Marie-José Van Hee

Renowned in Belgium and abroad

The national and international prizes, publications and exhibitions with which she is associated prove that Marie-José Van Hee has not stood still in all those years. In 2017 she was awarded the prestigious British International Fellowship. The Japanese magazine A+U even dedicated an entire edition to the Ghent-based architect. In 2018, she again exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale. She had previously participated in 2012 at the invitation of Sir David Chipperfield. In Belgium, the seven-person office Marie-José Van Hee architecten is known for its striking housing projects and projects in the public realm, such as the City Pavilion in Ghent, the redevelopment of the banks of the River Lys, Deinze’s market square, and the ModeNatie building in Antwerp.

Marie-Jose Van Hee (image: Klaas Verdru)

"For me walking is time and space, the ultimate kind of freedom."

‐ Marie-José Van Hee

more quotes

Marie-José Van Hee architecten. A walk

30.11.2022 - 21.05.2023

production
Marie-José Van Hee architecten, Flanders Architecture Institute and DE SINGEL
curator
Marie-José Van Hee architecten
project management
Marie-José Van Hee and Sam De Vocht (Marie-José Van Hee architecten)
scenography
Marie-José Van Hee, Sam De Vocht, Ben Rea, Margot De Caster (Marie-José Van Hee architecten)
with the support of
the Flemish Community

exhibition
Wed 30 Nov 2022 → Sun 21 May 2023
Flanders Architecture Institute at DE SINGEL, Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp
open Wed → Sun / 2 pm→ 7 pm and during evening performances until 10 pm
€5

opening event
Tue 29 Nov 2022 – 8 pm DE SINGEL, Blue Hall
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp
info and tickets at vai.be or desingel.be
register here

Marie-José Van Hee architecten, Zuidzande, The Netherlands (Beeld: Thomas Hick)

Press Contact

flanders architecture institute

Egon Verleye
Press & Communication Officer
M +32 486 21 17 74
T +32 (0)3 242 89 73
E egon.verleye@vai.be

press kit & press images

More news

More activities

Jan Van Rijswijcklaan 155
2018 Antwerp, Belgium
info@vai.be
T +32 (0)3 242 89 70

Partners

This free newsletter is being published by the Flanders Architecture Institute. It is allowed to forward this newsletter to people who are interested. You receive this newsletter because you showed interest in the activities of the Flanders Architecture Institute or because an acquaintance forwarded it to you. In order to assemble this newsletter reliable sources were being used. The publisher is not responsible for any improper use of re-use by a third party. The Flanders Architecture Institute is not responsible for the display of any incorrect information. The Flanders Architecture Institute has the right to publish or not publish the announced information. The Flanders Architecture Institute forwards the available information, but doesn't claim any completeness.