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blends in together," he adds. Other touches include decorative
profiles and doors complemented by hand-painted tiles and
white marble, visible in the onetime chapel that now hosts a
bar and glass-roofed restaurant. Interspersed throughout
the architecture, lush gardens by Martin Wirtz cultivate cozy,
breathe-easy public and private spaces.
Imperative to every Van Duysen endeavor, material is of
particular importance in this project. "Most of my materials are
derived from nature," he says. "My plaster techniques or my
wall treatments are mostly derived from chalk. I use all natural
paints or paint techniques, and the fabrics used in the carpets
are never synthetic. Instead, they are wools, linens or cottons.
Of course, we Belgians have a rich heritage in fabrics and
carpetsy, and even incredible craftsmanship and artisans for
wooden flooring and cabinet making. I love to work with layers
and contrast to achieve a sort of warm sensuality."
Manifestly restrained, August shows Van Duysen at his
deliberate best, suffusing the space with a moderating
softness. "It is all about calming down and creating silence,
and being in a space that does not overstimulate the
senses," he explains. "I'm not the kind of person that wants
to create immediate effects. There is a pared-down attitude
that we Belgians have in our aesthetics: very humble, very
desaturated colors."
"With my spaces, I'm creating not only for the people it's
for, but also for their objects, furniture, their beloved animals
or family," continues Van Duysen of his holistic approach.
"It's about the well-being of all of it. I wanted to become
more mindful as an architect, as I am creating for others."
vincentvanduysen.com
AUGUST
EPITOMIZES
THE VAN
DUYSEN
IDEAL: IT IS
A PLACE OF
DEEP SOUL
AND NO
CONCEIT.
(CLOCKWISE FROM
LEFT) AUGUST
HIGHLIGHTS VINCENT
VAN DUYSEN'S USE
OF MATERIAL—WARM
WOODS, LEATHER AND
BELGIAN LINEN—IN
ITS PUBLIC SPACES;
GARDENS OFFER A
CONTEMPLATIVE
EFFECT;
THOUGHTFULLY
DESIGNED ROOMS
FOSTER A SIMILAR
MOOD; THE HISTORIC
EDIFICE; A MINIMAL
INTERVENTION
ALLOWS DETAILS TO
SHINE; ELEMENTS
THROUGHOUT BRIDGE
OLD AND NEW.
