Autonomous Architecture in Flanders: The Early Works of Marie-Jose Van Hee, Christian Kieckens, Marc Dubois, and Paul Robbrecht

Five well-known graduates of the class of 1974 of the St Lucas Institute in Ghent, Marie-Jos Van Hee, Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem, Christian Kieckens, and Marc Dubois, are considered leading architects of their generation. Their professional careers and legacy have been of great importance to the development of Flemish architecture. In their early works and writings, they established a distinct architectural language, rooted in historical knowledge and with a reflection to art and craftsmanship. Architecture was singled out as a spatial phenomenon with an autonomous logic grounded in inhabitation and experience. This generation represents a significant turn toward architectural autonomy in Flanders, which resonated with similar international developments in the late 1970s. Moreover, they played a decisive role in the emancipation and professionalization of architectural culture in Flanders.

Contributors: Birgit Cleppe (Ghent University), Sofie De Caigny (CVAa), Maarten Delbeke (Ghent University), Fredie Flor (KU Leuven), William Mann, Yves Schoonjans (KU Leuven), Eireen Schreurs (TU Delft), Lara Schrijver (University of Antwerp), Dirk Somers (Ghent University), Sven Sterken (KU Leuven), Mechthild Stuhlmacher (TU Delft), Hera Van Sande (VUB / KU Leuven), Katrien Vandermarliere, Caroline Voet (KU Leuven)