The Design Special – The Word Magazine

Neighbourhood life

Urban development agency creates collaborations between shop owners and designers

In a bid to spice up the design aspect of our neighbourhoods' retail landscape, urban development agency Atrium launched a contest calling on designers to jazz up the windows and displays of local independent grocery shops.

Art

Belgian interiors imprint Calcutta’s 165 years in the business

Belgian interiors company Calcutta has been around since 1848, making world-famous wall coverings. Here's a glimpse at the fascinating process.

Art

An interview with Belgian design darling Thomas Lommee

Thomas Lommee is working on a Lego-meets-Wikipedia type design project in his Ixelles studio. We talk to the young designer about sensitivity and design solutions.

Neighbourhood life

Design District brings Scandinavian cool to Leuven

The final installment of our series on Belgian design high street gems sees us wandering through Leuven's 'Design District', one of the country's major hotspots for Scandinavian design devotees.

Neighbourhood life

Antwerp’s Helder: a design studio and interior store all in one

At the helm at Antwerp's Helder are a couple of designers whose own creations accompany those of a myriad of young international names...

Neighbourhood life

Brussels retail tastemaker La Fabrika’s ode to design restraint

Number two on our tour of Belgium's most exciting design shops is Brussels’ La Fabrika, a 230 square metre patch of the city's design-friendly Dansaert district.

Neighbourhood life

Shopping for design at Antwerp’s Atelier Solarshop

We strolled through the streets of Belgium's major cities and picked out our favourite design store gems. Each day this week, tune in for a selection of our favorite addresses and featured items. Today: Atelier Solarshop.

Art

An interview with the founders of Antwerp-based design practice Unfold

We've been profiling notable Belgian designers this month, and today we talk digital technology and the means of production with Antwerp-based multidisciplinary design duo Unfold.

Art

A visit to upscaling design practice Atelier 4/5’s Brussels workshop

With a penchant for craft, these two architects by training have been making over furniture since 2009. As part of Design September's Open Doors, they're inviting us all in for a look around.

Art

Open doors at Brussels’ design, architecture and film production hub L’Amicale

A bunch of seasoned Brussels designers of different stripes are throwing open the doors of their shared St. Gilles studio as part of Design September this weekend. Pleaseletmedesign's Damien Aresta tells us why we should visit L'Amicale.

Art Studio visits

An interview with hot and up-and-coming Brussels design practice Hopop Studio

These two architecture graduates set up shop in Brussels' St. Gilles neighbourhood last September and they've been renovating, renewing and recycling furniture ever since. Their atelier, Hopop Studio, is open to the public for one weekend only.

Art Studio visits

Textile design practice No More Twist opens the doors to its Brussels studio

Brussels' design studios fling open their doors to the public this weekend as part of Design September. We've selected a few that are worth a visit. First stop: Brussels textile design team No More Twist.

Art

An interview with the founders of Ghent-based design imprint Studio Woot Woot

Founder of Ghent-based Studio Woot Woot Karen Soors is kicking about at La Fabrika with collective exhibition 'Colour' . She kicks of our Design September-inspired series of profiles of outstanding Belgian designers.

Art

Brazilian design celebrated at stunning Brussels venue Ampersand House

We made ourselves at home at Ampersand's very homely gallery to contemplate the Brazilian Modern exhibition, an insightful showcase of Brazilian furniture worthy of extra special attention this Design September.

Art

Graphic design exhibition Eat symbols opens at Pimpinelle in Brussels

We paid a visit to Rue de Flandre's Pimpinelle, a unique concept store that will play host to its very first art exhibition this weekend as part of Design September. We found a unique cooking class replete with graphics and sound.

Art

Sylvain Willenz’s Glassworks exhibition opens at design dealer Victor Hunt in Brussels

Probably the most exciting glass-based design expo you're likely to see in a while, we got a sneak preview of local boy Sylvain Willenz's tables and vases at Victor Hunt in the lead up to Design September.

Art

Open door policy: Inside Atelier 4/5

How and where do Belgian designers work? Find out in part four of our design studio tour.

Art

My other car’s a dump

There are certain cars you give names to. Certain cars you speak to. Certain cars you’d be capable of building streets for. Certain cars you do not take to the carwash but, rather, lovingly pamper by hand. These are some of those cars. Photography Sarah Michielsen 1. Saab 900i 16v A word from the owner […]