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SINCE 1939
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AUTUMN 2019 54
106
186
172
148 198
178 4 Balo Design Boutique 10 Bruno Erpicum 20 Charu Gandhi 28 Obumex 34 Hermès Deco & Dior Maison 42 Flying Group 48 Max Dudler 54 Wafai Architecture 60 Ferrer 66 Swedish designers
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78 Ai&M Architects 84 Elbeko 90 Gio Pastori 94 Lambs and Lions 100 James Wellesley 106 John De Maio 114 Thierry Boutsen 120 De Meester Vliegen 128 Pieter Vanrenterghem 134 Park Hyatt Hangzhou
140 Gachot Studios 148 Belmond Grand Hibernian 154 St. Regis Toronto 162 Norm Architects 168 Matthias Contzen 172 Constantin Brancusi 178 Leonardo da Vinci 186 Nasa Project 192 Jim Glickenhaus 198 Corrado Lopresto
DEAR READER, Although it seems only yesterday that we presented the tenth edition of our magazine, the next issue has already taken shape. The curious souls of our editorial team are constantly on the lookout for surprising, inspiring and groundbreaking topics. So, you can once again expect to discover beautiful interiors, unique works of art, exclusive travel destinations and luxurious design. Let all this warm you during these cold autumn and winter days. As usual, we present both national and international names in this issue. Talent can be found all over the world. For example, we introduce you to the story of the Italian architect Wafai, the creations of iconic 20th-century Swedish designers, a project by the German studio Lambs & Lions and we even managed to sit down with our compatriot and former Formula One pilot Thierry Boutsen in Monaco for an interview. As a Belgian magazine we are of course very proud of the many great architects and interior designers our country has brought forth. Even now that Imagicasa magazine is also sold abroad, we like to keep putting them in the spotlight. Make sure to remember the names Bruno Erpicum, Charlotte Willaert (Ai&M) and Pieter Vanrenterghem, but also construction company Elbeko and project developer Triple Living. The latter recently brought yet another international top architect (Max Dudler) to Antwerp for a project on the new city district Nieuw Zuid. In the travel section, we like to take our readers to Park Hyatt in Hangzhou, China, and the Shinola Hotel in Detroit, but we also invite you to join us on the yacht that Norm Architects designed and on the Belmond Grand Hibernian that drives through the beautiful Irish landscape. As you can see, we have once again done our utmost to offer you the best ideas and the most beautiful images that add to a luxurious lifestyle. Hopefully you are as charmed by them as we are. And do they leave you wanting more? Then be sure to visit our online platform for a daily dose of inspiration or subscribe to our magazine to be the first to receive each new edition at home.
Let me inspire you!
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INTERIOR
Text: Caroline Meeusen
THE UNIQUE
BALO-DNA The well-known and exclusive Balo DNA no longer flows only through the veins of ‘De Kempen’. After Mol, Hasselt also welcomed a branch of Balo Design Boutique this summer and Imagicasa is eager to present this unique accessory store to her readers.
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erhaps you remember the impressive penthouse with which we opened our previous Imagicasa issue. We didn’t tell you much about the interior designers of that pretty gem yet, but in this edition we shine an extra spotlight on Balo. Together with Bart Lodewyckx and Lou Vanhees, we take our readers on a journey through their unique concept and the second store that opened its doors in Hasselt in June.
© Jente Willems
BALO Bart and his partner Lou Vanhees founded Balo Design Boutique, a business that was born out of passion. “Out of a passion for beautiful things and luxury,” says Bart. “Lou and I shared this same love and we were constantly working on it. That’s how the idea of getting Balo on track came about.” A decision they both never regretted, says Bart. “It turned out to be a fantastic story that we started with just the two of us and in the meantime, we have grown to sixteen people, so that has grown nicely in ten years.” Their beautiful story was first translated into the Balo Design Boutique in Mol, where you can find an extensive range of furniture, decoration and exclusive furnishings. A range of all that is beautiful and luxurious. The Balo concept is really about personality and a personal approach. “Balo stands for coming home. When you visit our stores, you don’t feel like you’re entering a store, IMAGICASA | 5
geographical location. We just seized the opportunity because with a business like Balo, you don’t just have to look for a property. We really are a concept and then everything has to be right and with this shop and location it was right.” Bart himself calls it a perfect building with Balo-DNA. “It had to run through the veins in the same way as it does in Mol.”
“IT REALLY FEELS LIKE YOU’RE COMING INTO A HOME” The concept and execution are the same in both stores: exclusive and accessible luxury. Only the focus is different. The shop in Mol is much larger and the focus is on projects. “Hasselt is a real shopping city, there is more traffic, more passage, more people coming in spontaneously. In Mol, customers come in with a real goal and plan to furnish a house. Mol remains our trusted flagship store for furnishing and furniture and the focus in Hasselt is more on decorative elements with the accessory store,” explains Bart. He tells us that it’s worth the distance, which we are all too happy to believe. Bart and Lou have a surprising little extra in Hasselt which definitely makes it worth the distance: a bar. “The bar has been open to the public since September so everyone can come and have a drink. It’s such a great concept, the people in Hasselt were very fond
but it really feels like you’re coming into a home,” says Bart and Imagicasa can definitely confirm this. We were immediately impressed by the beautiful establishment in Mol and since last summer, you are immersed in the same homely, luxurious atmosphere in Hasselt. HASSELT Can a store as beautiful as the one in Mol, where Balo is housed in a former notary’s house with high doors and ceilings that exude pure class, be matched with their sec6 | IMAGICASA
ond store in Limburg? Certainly! Also in the heart of Hasselt at the Maagdendries the Balo-DNA is clearly present. But why that choice for a second shop? “It was an opportunity to take the Balo-concept outside ‘De Kempen’,” says Bart. He enthusiastically tells us about the beautiful, large carriage entrance and marble hallway to the impressive building in the middle of the city. This urban aspect was also great to open a second place here. “Not only did the building suit us perfectly, it was also a very good
of it even before the opening and couldn’t wait to come and have their coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the afternoon,” says Bart enthusiastically. It’s like sitting in a chic hotel bar. A nice concept for anyone who comes shopping or passes by, but certainly for most men. “The men often have to go shopping in the weekend against their will. The women can put them in the bar with a nice glass of champagne or wine and then they can shop.” A great idea according to Imagicasa! “The whole bar is also part of the Hasselt concept and shows once again how urban it is.” The bar is clearly a favourite of Bart’s and will undoubtedly also appeal to the public – and not only the male. EXCLUSIVE LUXURY FOR EVERYONE Both shops breathe exclusive luxury and complement each other nicely. “Every project that is completed in Mol is fine-tuned and complemented by elements that are available in Hasselt,” explains Bart.
So what is Bart’s own favourite brand or product that they sell? “That’s really difficult. I don’t really have a favourite. I support all the brands we sell. Of course, it’s very nice that we are one of the three exclusive distributors of La Table D’Hermès products in Belgium, for example. You can’t find that anywhere except in the Hermès stores themselves.” Bart is of course very proud of this collaboration with this prestige brand. “Also some other exclusive partners are happy to see their products in this concept.” The ultimate proof of their ability and prestigious reputation. We wouldn’t be able to choose one favourite from all that beauty ourselves. Everything is of such a high level and they have something for everyone. The manager mentions the Montblanc products, including pens and briefcases, as a popular product aimed at men. The Diptyque range, a French cosmetics company, appeals more to women. This is also distributed exclusively in Hasselt. We ask the ‘Kempenaar’ if he notices certain trends in the choice of products in what people buy and ask at the moment. “Trends are always difficult to predict. What I do notice is that more and more people are really opting for quality and luxury brands again. We can already see that in Hasselt. It’s the same again as about thirty or forty years ago. People choose quality. There was a time when everyone bought popular and cheaper items, and they were almost thrown at your head,” he laughs. “Those were mass-produced items where, with the little you paid, you actually still paid too much for what it is. Now they’re investing in luxury again. Customers want a nice plate to eat a piece of cake on on Sunday. Table D’Hermès and Christofle, a real classic manufacturer of tableware, are very trending. People prefer to pay a decent amount for a silver cutlery, rather than paying less for lesser products. I can feel that and I absolutely support it!” Imagicasa can already predict that the boutique in Hasselt will be as successful as the Balo Design Boutique in Mol. But could there ever be a third store, we wonder? Who knows maybe abroad, since the designers also regularly carry out projects there. Even at the moment, Bart has projects running both nationally and internationally. “Never say never. I can’t comment on that, if there’s an opportunity to do so... you never know.”
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Woodstoxx stands for own production and fitting of parquet floor, wood terrace, facade, ceiling and wall claddings. We are in control from stem to finished product, with a preference for FSC or PEFC labelled wood. Whether the project be large or small, we think in terms of successful projects. instagram.com/woodstoxxbe
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ARCHITECTURE
Text: Eline De Mont
BRUNO
ERPICUM
He looks up to renowned architects such as Peter Zumthor, Alberto Kalach and Rick Joy, but the Belgian Bruno Erpicum certainly measures up to these international greats. With a career spanning more than thirty years, he has already completed numerous phenomenal projects in his home country and abroad. In the very first edition of Imagicasa Magazine – now four years ago – we already wrote about Erpicum in the context of his second monograph that was published. In the meantime, the architect has not been idle and has even turned his ‘modern architecture’ into a real lifestyle. And so, it’s high time to devote some more pages to his exceptional talent! 12 | IMAGICASA
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runo Erpicum talks with great pride about the many projects he has completed in France, Spain, Italy and even Peru and Israel. He explains his international success as a result of his work experience abroad – after his studies, Erpicum worked in South Africa and the United States – as well as of the various media that allow him to share his projects. Because in addition to books, magazines and word-of-mouth advertising, social media nowadays also generate more brand awareness or ensure that a wider audience won’t forget you. Such a long career as Bruno Erpicum’s, of course, is not something you can easily look past. One of his buildings even got a supporting role in Erik Van Looy’s action thriller De Premier (2016). And despite the international attention, the architect still prefers doing projects in Belgium and this will always be his country of choice to work in. According to him, our country is so diverse and that’s what makes it so interesting. “It’s fantastic to be able to work in these different environments. It’s even more amazing to be able to work in different cultural environments,” says Erpicum.
© Jean-Luc LALOUX
He tells us that Belgium is historically situated on the border between the Latin and Germanic culture and therefore is in a very lucky position. “The light here is beautiful, the climate has four seasons, it is relatively easy to live here comfortably without having to be very wealthy,” he continues. And all of this can be seen in the context of Bruno Erpicum’s special vision of life and design. He describes his creations as a ‘development of emotions’ and at the same time is inspired by the 20th-century Modernist movement in which unnecessary decorative elements give way to the essential. Imagicasa selected some unique projects to illustrate this and talked to Erpicum about his career, portfolio and future. AABE Bruno Erpicum graduated from ISASLB (Institut Supérieur d’Architecture Saint Luc Bruxelles) in 1983. Fascinated by the pure
“CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FAVOURABLE FOR HUMAN ACTIVITY”
Modernism that reached its peak in the 1920s and 1940s, the young architect went abroad. His preference for a more simple architecture did not correspond to the popular practice in Belgium at the time, so he looked elsewhere for the right inspiration and motivation. It should come as no surprise that Erpicum admits to being rather rebellious and individualistic in character. Nevertheless, when he returned to his homeland in 1988, he founded Bureau d’Etudes GMT together with François de Montlivault and Marc Timmermans. Despite the many assignments, managing a business with three partners and often three different visions is not always easy. After ten years, the firm split up and De Montlivault took over the engineering activities (GMT Project) while Erpicum devoted his full attention to the architectural side (GMT Concept). IMAGICASA | 13
From 2001, he continued his activities under the name Atelier d’Architecture Bruno Erpicum (AABE), which would never have more than fifteen employees. For him, it was a deliberate choice in terms of quality and to be able to evolve – as he himself indicates – with a clear vocabulary in terms of architecture. “This way of working is a dream,” Erpicum tells us. And with AABE, he has been able to make the dreams of many others come true as well. Both Belgian and foreign clients regularly come to Erpicum for the renovation of their home or to design a newly built residence. For both types of clients this could be in Belgium, but also in France, Spain or Germany. 14 | IMAGICASA
“THE UNIQUENESS OF EACH DIFFERENT LOCATION TRIGGERS THE CREATIVE MIND OF THE ARCHITECT AND CHALLENGES HIM”
What you can expect from a Bruno Erpicum project: a modern design where the right proportions and well-thought-out details take precedence over purely decorative elements. A pure form of architecture, but one where the result feels anything but cold or impersonal. Our environments, the buildings we look at, the spaces we stay in, etc. undoubtedly evoke certain emotions and, according to Erpicum, have the inevitable ability to contribute to a greater sense of well-being. EMOTIONAL ARCHITECTURE The design philosophy of Bruno Erpicum’s design office is quite clear: “Creating an environment favourable for human activity.”
to us, because the unique environment is the main starting point for a design, and this is not like a white canvas or blank sheet of paper on which a painter or poet releases his creativity. “It is precisely the uniqueness of each different location that triggers the creative mind of the architect and challenges him to reconcile the pragmatic requirements of the client with the beauty, uniqueness of the surrounding environment,” says Erpicum. And it would be a shame to keep out the beautiful surroundings. A recurring element in his portfolio – whether it’s a holiday villa in sunny Spain or a residence in a wooded residential area in Belgium – is the abundant use of glass. Ceiling-high windows provide beautiful views, terraces and verandas bring the green even closer and the clever play of light brings the architecture to life. Another important aspect that influences the human experience of a space: proportions. These have to be right so as not to disturb the
overall balance in a design. The projects that Bruno Erpicum has worked on often look like a play with form and an accumulation of volumes. However, each space and how it is connected to the next one has been very well thought out. As a result, these realisations radiate positive feelings of peace, comfort and happiness. And that is precisely what Erpicum means by emotive architecture: it strengthens and promotes our position in and view of life. MODERNISM IS A LIFESTYLE Bruno Erpicum extends his design vision to other aspects of life and is now also venturing into product design. After all: “There are no limits in architectural design and who but the architect can perfectly assess the needs of a project”. Of course, this again has to do with Erpicum’s desire to create spaces in which all the elements down to the smallest detail are in order to create the ultimate sense of harmony. So he regularly designs doors,
And whether they are working on a residential or a commercial project, for them, life is about more than the “proteins that allow us to function”. Architecture also has a not to be underestimated impact on our lives and the quality of it. That’s why Erpicum and his team keep creating spaces that make you feel good, at ease, at home. Harmony is a key word and the integration of the environment is a first important aspect where this is reflected. That’s why in every project AABE’s architects not only rely on the inspiration they get from the client’s personality, but also by nature. They often don’t even have a choice, Erpicum explains IMAGICASA | 15
to him, there is still so much to discover in the world and although he admits to perhaps having less energy than before to deal with the everyday concerns of running a business, he will always try to keep searching for the pure, the essential in a design. LABORATORY The search that Bruno Erpicum talks about is already reflected in the evolution of his architectural office towards a kind of laboratory. “A collaborative space where we work on exploring different solutions, before taking the final ones to the building sites in a dozen or so countries throughout the world. Each time, we compare in particular the benefits of different woods, stones as well as smooth and granular concrete.”
switches, lighting, taps and other furniture according to his formula where the superfluous is removed and only the essence remains. An example of this is the ‘OPUS’ collection in stainless steel which Erpicum and his team created in collaboration with the Italian company CEA. Like that, the architect also keeps it challenging for himself. According 16 | IMAGICASA
With his rich career and after many years in this sector, Erpicum also came to the conclusion that, after five or ten years, many modern constructions begin to lose their ‘brilliance’. He made alterations to his approach and now increasingly chooses materials that withstand the ravages of time even better. This even gives the buildings a beautiful patina and, instead of being outdated, they simply look authentic. The architect sees it as an ode to the passing of time.
Admittedly, whether it concerns a design from the 90s or a recently finished villa: we are fans and look with great pleasure at the result! After a long career, this architect is still able to remain true to his original design vision, while at the same time responding to today’s challenges. We are curious about what we can expect from Atelier d’Architecture Bruno Erpicum in the future.
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DESIGN
Text: Caroline Meeusen
Mandrillus
PRIMATES ART Product designer and artist Elena Salmistraro designed a series of vases as a strong conceptual reminder of the delicate relationship that exists between man and apes. In this way, she created playful pieces with their own soul on the border between art and design. 18 | IMAGICASA
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rimates have been reflected in art and objects for centuries and especially in Egyptian culture. The Milan-based artist Elena Salmistraro was also inspired by apes for this series of fine ceramic vases. The design is a contemporary reinterpretation of Old Roman pottery known for its typical animistic and friendly character. Objects really had a soul of their own back then and that is exactly what the artist wanted to bring in these vases, which are designed for and produced by the Italian company Bosa. But why the choice for apes? “The ape is the
animal that best evokes man: in the shape of the body, the expressions and the movements. The power of these similarities is what makes it so fascinating and what inspired the creation of these vases,” says Salmistraro. The soul of the pieces is beautifully encompassed in the details and colourful textures. INTRODUCING MANDRILLUS, KANDTI & BRAZZA In her many trips to Sicily, Salmistraro found inspiration in the ‘Teste du moro’ or ‘Moorish heads’ – typical ceramic vases and statues associated with a legend – for the
shape of her vases. Through a documentary on TV, she came up with the idea of using monkeys as a subject. “I simply reinterpreted everything according to my vocabulary and tried to create something strongly contemporary and vital.” For the designs, the designer was inspired by three types of monkey: the mandrill (Mandrillus), the golden monkey (Kandti) and the debrazza monkey (Brazza). It is thanks to the same documentary that the artist chose these three types. “I was impressed by their colours and expressions. So I started filling sheets with monkey sketches. The more progress I made, the better I could define texture and depth.” There are three
guage. Salmistraro always searches for the expressive language of objects with which she fascinates viewers and evokes emotions. “When I draw, I always investigate the formal aspect of objects. That aspect is often considered less important or more futile, but I personally think it needs more accurate and innovative investigations. I hate homologation and products that always look the same make me sad. I feel the need to bring artisanal uniqueness into mass production. A complex but fun job.”
Mandrillus
With her playful and original designs of the ‘Primates’ vases, Elena Salmistraro already brings a unique product with a soul that evokes vitality.
Kandti
shapes of vases, designed after the three monkeys, which are then brought back in different colour palettes. A playful design with bright, vibrant colours that undoubtedly brings a vital force to any interior.
© Elena Salmistraro
ELENA SALMISTRARO Elena Salmistraro has been drawing and painting since childhood, and as she grew older, her passion grew more towards design. She graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 2008 and a year later, together with her husband architect Angelo Stoli, she founded her own studio. Since then, she has worked as a product designer, artist and illustrator for recognized companies in the creative industry and prestigious galleries. In her creations that combine art and design, she searches for the harmony of shapes, works in great detail and speaks a poetic lan-
Brazza
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INTERIOR
Text: Eline De Mont
ELICYON
A FEELING OF PURE BLISS
Charu Gandhi, founder of Elicyon, sees interior design as an adventure, as a journey of exploration during which she tries to capture one beautiful moment after the other. Her design studio has gained many successes with this approach and has in a short period of time – the studio only just celebrated its fifth anniversary – already built a very rich portfolio of luxurious and unique projects. These are always characterized by craftmanship, innovation and creativity. We sat down with Gandhi, who is in fact an architect by training, and talked about her love for interior design and her constant search of – or rather: obsession with – beautiful things. 20 | IMAGICASA
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haru Gandhi, who previously worked as an architect and project manager for renowned companies Alies & Morrison Architects and Candy & Candy, founded her own studio in 2014. Now, and with Cecilia Halling (Creative Director) and David Harris (Projects Director) by her side, she is leading an award-winning practice with many high-end projects in London 22 | IMAGICASA
but also residences in the Middle East, renovation of historic brownstones in New York and apartments in Shanghai among their esteemed realisations. 2019 has also been quite a significant year for Elicyon. The team is now a talented group of 21 designers, architects and project managers who create unique and exclusive environments tailored to the requirements of their clients on a daily basis. They celebrated the
studio’s fifth anniversary by moving to a bigger office space in the classy London district of Kensington. Also added to their list of accomplishments this year: new projects such as a three-bedroom apartment in Mumbai and two apartments in the prestigious One Palm development on the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai. So it was about time we put this design studio in the spotlight in our magazine!
THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY Interior design for Elicyon is all about storytelling. Every aspect of a design has a purpose and is part of a bigger whole or – as the London studio likes to put – journey. On the one hand, a space is a translation of its location, surroundings, history or heritage. On the other hand, it should also be able to tell you something about who is living there, what his or her interests are and how they are living their life. At the same time, this very distinct story is one of beauty and of creating an emotive response for the clients. “I feel no shame in saying that I’ve chosen something because it’s beautiful,” Charu Gandhi tells us quite candidly. “Sometimes the journey of just making something beautiful is more of a story – I think the pursuit of beauty is a story in itself.” The fascinating thing about this job is that every story is different. Every project has its own unique aspects and for Gandhi and her team it is always an interesting journey to go on with the clients so both parties can learn from it and grow. And although the founder says it’s hard to define Elicyon’s style, the
“UNDERSTANDING HOW SOMETHING IS PUT TOGETHER AND THE PRECISION OF THE CRAFTSMANSHIP LIGHT A CREATIVE FIRE FOR ME.” projects can be characterised by a certain boldness and stylised playfulness. As an example the designer mentions a recently finished apartment in One Hyde Park, a luxurious living and shopping development in Knightsbridge, London. Ghandi has already completed seven projects in this building and although the spatial environment and layouts were similar, she very much enjoyed making each one unique.
© Elicyon
We happily turn to Charu Gandhi to let her tell us more about her journey and how she reached her current position in life and in her job. DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BECOME A DESIGNER? “My dream of becoming an architect and interior designer began from a very young age. When I was a child in India, my parents decided to build us a new home and worked with architect Sujata Kohli. I would watch Sujata walking around onsite, instructing construction teams and implementing her vision and I was very enamoured by her. She’s still a mentor of mine – for me, she combined a scientific, analytical mind with creativity and this became my goal for my future career.” IMAGICASA | 23
YOU ARE AN ARCHITECT BY TRAINING. WHY DID YOU END UP CHOSING THE PATH OF INTERIOR DESIGN? “The allure of architecture was certainly all-consuming during my training, but in practice the vocation didn’t really give me the satisfaction I had expected. I was critical of the fact that there was a pressure to post rationalise. Everything had to have a gravity to it, which I feel interior design doesn’t overtly do. It doesn’t complicate. In architecture, you can’t say something is beautiful for the sake of being beautiful, it’s too blasé and surface-level and architecture tends to think more intellectually than that. However, my years of architectural practice have taught me a lot about buildability, construction and the rigour of producing information so that your vision is transformed into reality.” WHAT IS YOUR LIFE OR WORK PHILOSOPHY? “One of my life lessons or philosophies is summed up by a favourite poem of mine – I go back to the words when I need to reset or seek inspiration. Ithaca by C.P. Cavafy talks about the journey and adventure of life, which is so much more important than the final destination. It discusses resilience and determination, as well as taking time to see the wonders and beauty in the world: ‘As you set out for Ithaca, hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.’” WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX AND UNWIND? “I spend quality time with my family. I recently deleted a lot of social media from my phone – apart from Instagram – as I felt this was taking up too much space in my downtime. Rather than mindlessly scrolling, I now prefer to listen to audio books or podcasts to relax. I also love the theatre and opera and my husband and I try and make it to the theatre every few weeks if time permits. I find stage design endlessly fascinating.” THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR JOB AND YOUR PRIVATE LIFE? “Achieving balance is still a work in progress to be honest! My life both as a designer, businesswoman and parent is constantly evolving. It really all comes down to diary management and having a disciplined approach to my schedule. At work, I rely on my PA and having a very structured diary – my clients know when I am available and when they can get hold of me. At home, I am fortunate to have a very supportive structure. I try not to attend any more than two evening work events each week and don’t look at my phone when I’m with my family so that I can enjoy 24 | IMAGICASA
“THE PROJECT’S VISION REPRESENTS A MOMENT IN MY PERSONAL DESIGN JOURNEY, A CONFLUENCE OF EAST AND WEST”
true quality time with them. Try as I might however, my obsession with creating beautiful things permeates most of my time!” WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM? “A lot of my inspiration comes from within the studio. We are a very creative, diverse mix of designers and architects from all over the world and often share inspirational images of textures, artwork, details and rooms with each other. We have a very open and robust discourse within the design process, where everything is challenged and questioned – this is a huge source of inspiration. Everything from Scandinavian minimalism to strong
mid-century influences, tassels and knitting, find their way into our design workshops. The craftsmen and artisans that we work with – some of the world’s leading glass makers, crystal makers and innovative producers of plasterwork, finishes and furniture – are my single biggest inspiration. Understanding how something is put together, the process it undertakes, the precision of the craftsmanship, lights a creative fire for me.” WHICH ONE OF YOUR PROJECTS TRULY STANDS OUT FOR YOU AND WHY? “All of our projects are significant to me, each for a different reason. We recently
completed a three-bedroom apartment in One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, London – our seventh project there. The building holds a special meaning for me as it’s where Elicyon began – we did our first ever project there in 2014. Having grown up in India and retaining strong roots, working in my home country had been a long- cherished ambition that I achieved through working on a new, luxury residential development in Mumbai. It was wonderful to combine my knowledge of the city, culture and way of living to the project with a strong influence from my design studies, which are European in origin. The
project’s vision represents a moment in my personal design journey, a confluence of east and west, celebrating both without detracting from either.” WHAT ARE POPULAR REQUESTS FROM YOUR CLIENTS? DO YOU SEE ANY ‘TRENDS’ IN WHAT PEOPLE WANT IN THEIR HOME? “The way in which our clients live their daily lives is constantly changing, so the biggest ‘new’ requests we receive are often to do with layout and flow of the space. Our client’s lifestyles and their desire for a smoothly functioning haven as their home mean that we are often combining rooms into one to creIMAGICASA | 25
ate a multifunctional space while at the same time designing highly specific dedicated rooms for an aspect of their life or family. The formal reception room, for example, can still be found within our projects, but very often the focus of the home is now on a central space where the family gather, often associated with an open plan and front of house kitchen. The success of this space is determined by clever design, well thought-out storage to allow one ‘function’ to be put away and the other to emerge, furniture pieces that offer versatility and the support of ancillary areas, such as a back of house kitchen, a dedicated dining room for the more formal meals etc. Wellness and fitness are also now at the forefront for many of our clients. Whilst these have become hugely important in designing a home, the space allocated for gyms or spas hasn’t changed drastically over the years, so we now need to cleverly maximise the space so that it can be multifunctional and adaptable.”
WHICH PROJECT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR? “I always say that our biggest challenge is the next one. We are always striving to learn, grow and push the boundaries so that both our skills as designers and our projects are in an ever-evolving state. I am constantly developing as a designer, a studio lead and businesswoman, and am very self-critical with both myself and the team on any lessons learnt. We are always questioning how we could do something more special, more groundbreaking with each project.” WHICH OTHER TRENDS DO YOU SEE EMERGING OR DO YOU PREDICT FOR THE COMING SEASONS? “Over the last decade the preference for metal interiors has moved from nickel, to rose gold, to polished brass and lastly to satin brass. We expect that the next big trend will be blackened metal. It’s more rustic and works as a striking and sharp contrast to the light interiors that are very much in fashion at the moment. We are also predicting that polished marbles are about to be replaced with more tactile stones like limestone and finishes such as honed, brushed, tumbled, flamed, leathered and sandblasted. After years of grey being the on-trend colour in all of its shades, beige is back in favour. And not the safe ‘greige’ kind but a full-on warm creamy beige. It takes a bit of getting used to but it adds a lovely warmth to an interior.” LAST BUT NOT LEAST: WHERE DOES THE NAME OF THE COMPANY COME FROM? “Elicyon is a portmanteau, a combination of two words. The word derives from the phrase ‘Elysian Fields’, which describes a place of bliss; and ‘Halcyon’, referring to a time when things were wonderful. It perfectly encapsulates the Elicyon ethos: to evoke a feeling.” The images we see here definitely make us very happy and we have the feeling that we can expect to see many more unique and exclusive projects from Charu Gandhi’s design studio. That is also what she promises us when we reach the end of our talk: “Whatever comes our way, we’ll continue our adventure with design, beauty, craft and innovation that enables us to take clients on an incredible journey of exploration and enjoyment.”
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Albertplein 6, 8300 Knokke-Zoute - T.: +32 (0) 50 61 25 71 - christophecolpaert.be IMAGICASA | 27
INTERIOR
Text: Ditte Van Doninck
Eli Ostyn founded Obumex in 1960. What he didn’t know then – but probably hoped for – was that his company would last for generations and grow into an international kitchen and total interior designer. In 2019, it is synonymous with exquisite furniture collections and exceptional craftsmanship. At the end of the year, we can expect even more beauty and Obumex is even entering into an exclusive partnership with the French designer Christian Liaigre.
© Annick Vernimmen
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or three generations long, Obumex has been able to maintain its position as a valuable player within the national and international architectural landscape. Eli Ostyn’s succession was a sure thing and his son Geert followed in his footsteps. He has been at the helm for 35 years and eight years ago, grandson Thomas Ostyn also joined the West Flemish company. He is ready to further develop the wide-ranging knowledge of his predecessors. Almost six decades ago, Obumex started manufacturing school furniture, but kitchen design soon followed. After about ten years, the company expanded with excellent furniture collections and was able to focus on interior design the way it still does today. The total furnisher builds on the expertise of his team specialised in quality customisation and on collaborations with outstanding designers. Together they push the boundaries of kitchen and interior design. The realisations are synonymous
with uniqueness and always start from the pursuit of beauty and perfection. It is certain that a design-driven mentality and the all-encompassing approach are the basis of their success. The experienced team of technicians, interior designers and specialists set the highest level project after project. PIONEERING AND EXCLUSIVE Obumex works with many leading designers of the 21st century. Over the years, many renowned labels have crossed their path during the search for special and unique brands and designers. Handmade and exclusive pieces that take an interior to a higher level, are the starting point of all their high-end furniture collections. By the end of this year we can once again expect to see a lot of fashionable pieces. “We have several new collections this autumn, especially the collection of Man of Parts stands out. This brand was founded by the owners of Avenue Road, our distributor for the US and Canada,” says Geert Ostyn.
But what is it that makes Obumex a fixture in the national and international architectural landscape? “Our concept kitchens, for sure. The international story started with the Pawson kitchen and had a sequel with the Joseph Dirand kitchen. The latter is a real favourite abroad. This was also followed by collaborations with Bruno Moinard, Gilles et Boissier and Grégoire de Lafforest.” These signature kitchens are very popular within and far beyond our country’s borders. Each design breathes the individuality of its creator and each time sheds a different light on what defines a kitchen. The collection shows the skills, finesse and degree of finishing that is so characteristic of Obumex. OBUMEX X CHRISTIAN LIAIGRE Obumex selects timeless and exceptional pieces of furniture that are not affected by fashion and fleeting trends. Each and every one of them is a unique interior object designed by an internationally renowned designer IMAGICASA | 29
or brand. Each of the pieces surprises thanks to its harmonious contrast between material, shape and colour, ranging from more introvert to very eccentric. For years, the company and the interior and furniture designer Christian Liaigre have shared a common aesthetic philosophy. For more than thirty years, he has been a paragon of sobriety and a refined contemporary style. Time and again, Liaigre surprises design lovers with his modest and elegant play of space and light. When his first showroom in the Rue de Varenne opened in the mid-eighties, Liaigre surprised everyone with his understated and pure aesthetic vocabulary that impressed with its distinction and modernity. As a pioneer of a movement based on the classics of furniture history, Liaigre pays a great deal of attention to high-quality know-how. Exclusivity and elegance are common elements in the DNA of both him and Obumex. This is why the end of 2019 will be another milestone in the synergy between the two houses. The design company is now the exclusive partner of the Christian Liaigre furniture brand in Knokke. The Obumex Store in Knokke will thus become the sixth official point of sale of the Liaigre collections in Europe, in addition to the French brand’s own showrooms in Brussels, Paris, London, Munich and Moscow. 30 | IMAGICASA
CREATE TOGETHER It’s not a surprise that the phrase ‘Beauty is harmony of purpose and form’ by Alvar Aalto, the Finnish modernist architect and industrial designer, also forms the philosophy of Obumex. The experienced team of interior designers, design specialists and project managers will translate your ideas into concrete plans. Each project starts from a blank
EXTRAORDINARY KITCHENS, INTERIORS AND FURNITURE page that can be fully described by the client. With a special eye for aesthetics and functionality, every interior is always made to measure. The execution of the project is entirely in the hands of the company, alone or in cooperation with an own (interior) architect. This all-encompassing approach takes away all your worries and brings peace of mind from the design stage to the end result. Innovation and craftsmanship go hand in
hand at Obumex. No fewer than twenty architects focus on kitchen construction and total furnishing. The special thing about the company is that everything, from design to execution, is done in-house. The installation will also always take place under the watchful eye of Obumex so that it can guarantee the same high level of quality at all times and everywhere. For them, living is much more than a basic need. They want to transcend functionality, make an interior an extension of your personality and be a source of sustainable happiness. A project of the total designer is never repeated. By taking into account your wishes and opinion on the furniture, but also the accessories, curtains and carpets, each design is unique and personalised. The aesthetic value that is linked to living goes beyond the functional aspect of a home. In this way, the company turns every house into a warm home. Space, light, neutral colours, soft textures and natural materials form a warm atmospheric whole. Furniture is an important part during this procedure for the designer company. An exclusively custom-designed interior requires furniture of the same class and style. The refined art of living of Obumex contributes to prolonged happiness at home.
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