The Research Center Henry van de Velde seeks multi-and interdisciplinary study, research and community service regarding processes of sustainable transition of the built environment. Its operations cover both the movable and the immovable assets and extends from the furniture, interior design and building of the city and the countryside. The activities involve design-based, cultural, historical, social, economic and technical aspects of the different spatial scales. In addition, it also aims to related issues on a meta-level, such as methodology of design, research and education, and assessment frameworks. This approach connects the various substantive aspects of the broad field of action and creates a well-founded structure with a significant return for the research and nexus with education.

On the 19th of February, Juha Franssila, Jaakko Kinnunen, and colleagues from Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Häme University of Applied Sciences will visit Research group Henry van de Velde at 10 a.m in s.MU.D2.1. They will be presenting their ongoing research titled CircBuild: Promoting circularity and sustainability for the construction and real estate sector. You are welcome to join

On February 20, Lois Weinthal from the University of Toronto will deliver a lecture titled "From Quarries to Plaster Impressions". 

Interior surfaces play a background role to support events and objects in the foreground, yet the surrounding plaster and drywall could tell stories from gypsum extraction to cast objects in museum collections. From quarries to plaster casting ateliers, this presentation highlights less visible practices that transfer the underground to aboveground, giving shape to interiors.

The 18th Docomomo International Conference, held from December 10-14, 2024, at the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Santiago de Chile, brought together scholars and experts from around the globe to explore "Modern Futures: Sustainable Development and Cultural Diversity." The event, hosted by the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urban Studies (FADEU), featured 7 keynote lectures, 38 paper sessions, two round tables, and various MoMo tours. Notably, Belgium was strongly represented throughout the conference, highlighting the country’s contributions to the global discussion on modern architecture.

Belgian participation stood out through both session leadership and impactful research presentations. Scholars such as Eva Storgaard and Zsuzsanna Böröcz from the University of Antwerp chaired key sessions on topics like modern interiors and textiles, while Els De Vos delivered a stimulating paper on the interplay of textile arts and modern architecture.

Co-edited by Zsuzsanna Böröcz, the book Modernist Women Interior Designers and Artists, presented during the event, showcased the diverse contributions of women to the Modern Movement, with five Belgian scholars contributing chapters.

The event also marked significant milestones, including the acceptance of six new National Working Parties into Docomomo International and the reappointment of leadership for another term. The conference concluded with a celebratory gathering in the gardens of the FADEU campus, underlining the event's collaborative spirit and future-oriented vision.

The next Docomomo International Conference will be held in Los Angeles in 2026, continuing the global dialogue on modernism's legacy and potential.

On January 14, our HvdV research group celebrated the New Year with a memorable dinner downtown Antwerp. It was an evening filled with laughter, good food, and warm camaraderie as we celebrated our achievements from the past year and looked forward to an exciting year ahead. A big thank you to everyone who made the event special. Here's to another year of innovation, collaboration, and success!