Archipel 20 in 2000

(autotranslated) On June 5, 2000 it was exactly 20 years ago that the architecture association archipel was founded.

20 Years of Architecture talks with dozens of architects and lecturers from Flanders, but also many important international figures.

20 years of architectural tours and travel on all major architectural regions and cities in Europe and Japan to Chicago. Very intense traveling, focused on 20th century architectural history and contemporary architecture topicality.

20 years with many shared cultural passion for architecture.

In those 20 years archipelago has undoubtedly contributed to a more mature cultural architecture climate in Flanders. By professionals and enthusiasts in direct contact with bringing a rapidly evolving international architecture scene. Through an in-depth insight into architectural history. By offering a forum for meeting, discussion, crossovers, collaborations …

Archipel is a non-profit organization, a membership association (also with a large following of hundreds of sympathizers). As a club floated on the continuous efforts of many volunteers. Also, this is after 20 years (in which many similar initiatives have already died), perhaps a performance.

Archipel has remained an informal association, widely accessible to all interested persons who are professionally or passionately involved in architecture.

Archipel is recognized by nobody, nobody is under guardianship. Is only supported by its members. That remains quite unique.

20 years … It should be celebrated once we thought.

We sought this an architecturally fascinating location and found one in the recently restored and recovered Fort Napoleon in Ostend. Military construction for Napoleon’s troops which never before had after completion. (Upon delivery the client was exiled).

This fort was taken in hand by the Flemish Heritage Foundation. The foundation was created, among other things for the salvation of lost monuments. Fort Napoleon is their first major achievement. It got a multipurpose cultural destination. The architects realized Govaerts and Vanhoutte from Bruges, in contrast to the massive building, light interventions in steel (Corten steel, Läufer grilles, window profiles), glass and wood in some places literally break the stronghold. That this creates controversy is predictable. However, the way this happened is intelligent, and made the stronghold pregnable culture. Interior interventions (an ornate bar and floodlit tables) by Fabian Van Severen (not Maarten as previously erroneously mentioned) produced a final touch.