You are on page 1of 2

Axel Vervoordt

expands Kanaal
Axel Vervoordt has earned renown as a collector, antiquaire, interior designer and, most recently, curator. Clients may go to him in search of a splendid antique armoire or for help renovating and furnishing an
He counts among his clientele royalty, rock stars, financiers, tech tycoons and artists. Tall and elegant, with 18th-century villa, but the most valuable service they receive is instruction in his highly evolved yet quite
a serene smile, this 63-year-old may be one of the worlds foremost tastemakers. Yet he has little interest in fundamental philosophy of living.
"style," at least as it is currently defined, because essentially, Vervoordt is a metaphysician. His family-run business is housed the massive former distillery complex Kanaal, originally constructed in the
Inquiries into the nature of being and concepts of time and space are what most compel him; he conveys early 19th century and located near Antwerp, Belgium.
his views through his inspired arrangements of objects and interiors. To some, expressing the lofty in the Within its stucco and brick walls about 85 highly skilled restorers, art historians, architects and craftspeople
material might seem contradictory, but Vervoordt believes that, as in a Zen koan, truth can be contained in keep the enormously successful operation humming.
paradox and ambiguity. By mid-2010, the entire site will be expanded into a little village to which Vervoordt applied his vision on living
in the 21st century.
Becoming a City in the Country Homes with identity
In our present day society there is a great need for quality of life. Kanaal goes back to the essence of living by creating 98 apartments in a pure and
A need to distance ourselves from mass production and mainstream human architecture emerged into a green oasis. Three different architects where
solutions. The Kanaal site will become a source of inspiration for those selected to help create these residences.
in search of authenticity. By means of a contemporary approach, the
industrial archaeology is integrated into a novel style of living. A pure
and human architecture that will provide people a warm and welcoming
environment.
Warehouses by
The project aims to turn a fallow, abandoned industrial terrain into Cousse & Goris Architects
a mixed working and living environment. In the process, maximum
use will be made of the already existing industrial patrimony, while The existing Pakhuizen (warehouses) along the Stokerijstraat offer unique
new constructions will complement, and complete, the desired characteristic homes, both new and restored parts with views to the courtyards,
spatial mixed development. The currently mono-functional site will water and city of Antwerp.
become transformed into a qualitative urban complex to serve a mix Respect for the existing volumes means that no formats are created by dividing
of residential housing, small business operations, and a number of wholes into smaller spaces. This makes certain areas retain their original
complementary activities. dimensions, resulting in spectacular spaces and ceilingheights. The residential
function is also provided by a new structure on top of the existing brick buildings,
so a layered spatiality arises. The construction of steel pillars and glass introduce
Vervoordt Foundation a modern freshness and create a fascinating play of shadows, in contrast to the
monolithic character of the brick substructure.
Axel Vervoordt brought to life a private foundation as a way to extend his philosophic consciousness, of
a beautiful and plentiful life and the sharing of his passion for purity and harmony with collectors all over
the world. Cubes by
The Vervoordt Foundation governs an important and reputed art collection, which consists of
contemporary art pieces such as the Anish Kapoor At the Edge of the World and precious antiquities
Bogdan & Van Broeck Architects
such as a 12th century wooden Lohan.
The architecture of these buildings is conceived of as a window on the world. This
Operating from the Kanaal site, the foundation shall open its own museum in 2014.
notion is applied at various scale levels. From a spatial development perspective,
The Vervoordt Foundation engages in the quest for the universal meaning of art by discovering the
the spaces amongst and between the buildings are conceived as outdoor rooms
contemporary quality of the past and the search for modern objects with a timeless quality. As a haven
with through-views upon one another and on the environment. Architecturally, the
of peace, harmony and timelessness, the Foundation will embody Vervoordts favourite expressionEtre
distribution of features inside the homes and the positioning of the window openings
heureux en rendant heureux, as it shares the entire collection with the broad public.
have been designed in such a manner that optimal advantage is taken of the view to
the outside and of the natural lighting, and yet with retention of individual privacy.
Large, tall glazed loggias, 6 meters high, ensure for each home the possibility of a
On-site Facilities spacious collection of winter plants and the availability of abundant natural light.
Through variations in forms and types of planning, and through the individual
Diversity happens to represent a major aspect of this site. Accepting the premise that the site serves realisation of the facades for each home, every Cube is seen as a unique and
primarily as a cultural and residential focal point, a search is made of supporting functions that will recognisable element within one larger cohesive unit.
enhance the living environment of both its local residents and users and neighbouring home owners. It
pertains here to those soft functions that are daily fare for us. The focus is placed on nutrition: catering
services, restaurant, baker and grocer; as well as on health: doctor, dentist, and the state of wellness.
Furthermore, some additional functions will be provided that will adequately address the inconveniences
Silos by
of living outside of an immediate urban environment: e.g., full service superintendent supervision, Stphane Beel Architects
dry cleaning facilities, and child day care.
While transforming the silos into apartments, we managed to retain their functionality
as beacons in the environment and not detract from their massive impact by creating
a glass room at the middle of them. The open character, a 15 meter glass wall, of this
space allowsus to preserve the massive silos in place, while providing spectacular
views towards Antwerp, the harbour and green environment of Schilde.

VERVOORDT r.e. Stokerijstraat 15 2110 Wijnegem +32 3 355 38 00 www.kanaal.be

You might also like