ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR AND LIFESTYLE / WINTER 2018 RECOMMENDED BY GROEP VERSLUYS / IMAGICASA.BE €9,95
IMAGICASA | A
ONE CARLTON A NEW GLOBAL ICON IN THE HEART OF KNOKKE ZOUTE
WWW.ONECARLTON.COM
b | IMAGICASA
IMAGICASA | 1
2 | IMAGICASA
IMAGICASA | 3
ARCHITECTURE Text: Christine Smeyers
ONE CARLTON TIMELESS LUXURY MEETS WARM MINIMALISM
4 | IMAGICASA
© VERSLUYS GROEP
6 | IMAGICASA
One Carlton will be the new icon to enhance the Knokke Zoute skyline. This prestigious residence with its 12 floors was inspired by the glorious splendour of the former Carlton Residence and will offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Knokke coastline. The successful collaboration between Versluys Groep, creating architect ‘EL Architects’ and executing architect ‘Jaspers-Eyers’ gave birth, on the iconic Albert Square, to this high-end ultimate ‘pièce de résistance’ with an international flair.
O
ne Carlton may be a newcomer to the Knokke scene, but it instantly sets a new standard for the city. This worldclass concept devoted to luxurious inside and outside living combines such materials as glass, natural stone and bronze. The uniquely balanced architectural composition of the building combined with the extraordinary livingoutdoor terraces and the spectacular sea views turns this residence into a genuine ‘glass pearl’, making One Carlton the most exclusive project of the Belgian coast. This project is a way for Versluys Groep to expand its scope from Ostend, where for years it has been constructing dozens of buildings. The company will help redefine the appearance of the wonderful city of Knokke through several future projects. A RICH HISTORY FULL OF GLAMOUR It took more than seven years of study and preparation for this exclusive project in the most prominent location of Knokke, the Albert Square, also known as the Place m’as tu vu, to take shape. But there is even more of a history to this iconic spot on the Knokke shore. The initial Normandy style building dates from 1925 and was conceived as a 120 rooms hotel. Over the years, the property underwent several renovations: an adjoining building was added in 1934, which was later on turned into a small hotel of 18 rooms only and a ground-floor brasserie. The initial building became a residential complex known as the Carlton Residence, which was ultimately pulled down in 2016. In the middle of 2018, the new One Carlton will continue this exclusive location’s rich history as an ode to the glory of yesteryear Knokke. IMAGICASA | 7
8 | IMAGICASA
IMAGICASA | 9
No wonder creating architect ‘EL Architects’ and executing architect ‘Jaspers-Eyers’ were instructed by Versluys Groep to design a monumental building that would seamlessly connect with the famous ‘Place m’as tu vu’, even emphasising its grandeur. The architects based their concept on the square’s initial lay-out with the former Carlton Hotel being one of the highest buildings in Knokke. The new One Carlton will thus also protrude the surrounding buildings, like a beacon in the landscape. Its unique location in the centre of Le Zoute combined with its Art Deco inspired architecture lends One Carlton an exclusive urban glamour very fitting of the current mundane aspects of Knokke. WORLD-CLASS ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS With One Carlton, Versluys Groep sets the bar extremely high. Each of the residence’s apartments can boast a distinctively elegant and luxurious finish using only top quality materials and offering spectacular sea views. This symbiosis perfectly matches the high demands set by One Carlton’s future residents. After all, perfection is not merely a detail to Versluys Groep, it’s the details that make for perfection. The building’s white limestone façade has been partially based on the initial Carlton Hotel. Bronze lines add a serene, stylish look to the residence. The solid, darker groundfloor, which can house a restaurant, seamlessly flows into the white limestone above. At night, the subtle and elegant lighting makes the façade look even more majestic. All floors have high windows on all sides for the interior to be bathed in light throughout the day. Each apartment has its own large terrace with glass railings, constantly offering the residents an unlimited sea view and some sublime panoramic views of Knokke. One Carlton was inspired by other prestigious projects abroad, more specifically by residences on the Avenue Montaigne in Paris or in the affluent Mayfair area in London. Hence its high finish. All interiors are equipped with solid parquet or large-format tiled floors, luxury bathrooms with a walk-in shower and a bathtub, designer kitchens with a granite worktop, floor heating and other high-end materials. This exceptional finish makes for an ultimate sense of comfort where coming home to is sheer bliss. The timeless design and the use of durable materials is Versluys Groep’s guarantee for a luxurious residence that will be the para10 | IMAGICASA
gon of conviviality for generations to come. Relaxing by the fireplace, enjoying a real spa-experience in the marble bathroom or admiring the magnificent view from one of the south facing terraces, pure living with an unparalleled holiday feeling. THE PERFECT PERSONAL TOUCH One Carlton is more than just a building,
it’s also a genuine five-star lifestyle. The ‘personal selection’ allows the residents to create their own dream interior entirely in line with their personal needs. Versluys Groep collaborates with Obumex and other high-end professionals to provide bespoke interior design. The personal touch, which is a very important
part of this project, is also pursued in the continuous presence of the ‘One Carlton Concierge’, a five-star service which very discreetly takes care of the tiniest details for the residents. In addition to this permanent concierge, ‘Conciërge privé’, a unique local service company, will offer a one-of-a-kind experience in the broadest sense. ‘Conciërge Privé’ will be in charge of the first floor pri-
vate spa, wellness and swimming pool. This concierge also offers a wide range of other services according to the residents’ individual needs so that they can simply relax. The first year, this concierge service is included in the price, after which special formats can be created that are fully tailored to everyone’s needs. There is, after all, not more ultimate a luxury than time.
This impressive residence with its 12 floors and its unequalled luscious appearance will be an icon for the entire Belgian coastline and is bound to attract global attention. Without a doubt, One Carlton will be the new landmark of the already illustrious Knokke. Splendour in its purest form.
IMAGICASA | 11
ARCHITECTURE Text: Jules Maeyens
© COURTESY OF bLAINEY NORTH
bLAINEY NORTH
12 | IMAGICASA
Š TROYT CObURN
Blainey North is an Australian architect and interior designer whose name has travelled far beyond the borders of her homeland. She recently won two prizes at the international Interior Design and Architecture Awards. When at school, Blainey thought she would become your regular law student, until one day her arts teacher told her to consider architecture. It hadn’t even downed on her, but while the other students were drawing portraits, she was always drawing buildings. Even as a child, she would be seen drawing floor plans in order to organise the pieces of furniture in the most interesting manner. So that is how Blainey decided to take up architecture. I was given the chance of an exclusive interview with Blainey North.
14 | IMAGICASA
IMAGICASA | 15
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY? WHO ARE YOU? “My philosophy is inspired by my unique vision of the world, something I try to share with each person who enters one of the environments we have created. I’m proud of the intensive, rigorous and intellectual manner we approach each project with. We link this to a natural instinct and to a genuine interest in the customer’s desiderata. Each project tells its own story developed by my team and myself, a guarantee that the high standard and the objectives of the project will be met. I love my work. My life is intrinsically and unexplainably connected to my creative process. I feel that there is hardly any distinction between myself and the work my studio creates. My friends tell me I’m kind, determined and a little crazy!” WHAT WOULD YOU CALL LUXURY? “For the customer to give me creative freedom, that is sheer luxury to me.” WHERE DO YOU STAND NOW COMPARED TO WHEN YOU STARTED? “As with each company that starts with a single person behind a desk, it was a process full of complexity and wonderment. It’s fantastic to receive worldwide recognition after sixteen years of intensive work, but my true joy comes from realising projects which bring me great 16 | IMAGICASA
pride. I can honestly say that I live for the look on a customer’s face when they see the finished product. I love to make people happy.” HOW IS YOUR STYLE DETERMINED? “I like to think that our work does not exude one particular style, but that each project has a character of its own. This aesthetic sensitivity stems from a desire to stretch the boundaries throughout the worlds of fashion, visual arts and film. We try to put a relevant dimension of our creative output in each of these aspects. I also believe that our work is unique because of my architectural training. It helps me to imagine architecture, interiors and the overarching design as a holistic vision.” CAN YOU GUIDE ME THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS OF A BLAINEY NORTH PROJECT? “Blainey North strives to create areas that boast unexpected, thrilling and rich meaning and completion, and that are specifically customised. This requires a collective of people who share the same vision on the project’s diverse aspects in order to create as consistent a whole as possible. Each design process starts with a team meeting where we discuss ideas and shape a concept. What distinguishes Blainey North from other designer studios is our ability to maintain this concept throughout the entire decision-making and design stage of the project.”
IMAGICASA | 17
WHY THE CROWN TOWER VILLAS PROJECT? “We had the privilege of working on the top eleven floors of Australia’s finest hotel, the Crown Towers, and we designed their luxurious hotel rooms with a surface of 330 to 1400 square meters each. I am naturally drawn to collaborating with hotels because I enjoy working on spaces that are meant to increase the visitor’s sense of luxury and drama.” HOW IMPORTANT IS COLOUR? CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE COLOURS YOU USED AT THE CROWN TOWER VILLAS? “Colour is essential to every interior. I believe it sparks extreme reactions in each of us, so I use colour smartly and with a specific purpose. In the Crown Villas, for instance, we 18 | IMAGICASA
added accents of red and fuchsia to stir excitement and drama, but based on a refined colour palette. In the bedrooms, we used softer tones as those interiors were meant to somehow drift away. Beside those carefully selected colours, we also added bespoke patterns and motives throughout the carpeting, the wall coverings and the furniture, adding large scale detailed precision.” WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER? “I actually have several: Carlo Scarpa, Ricardo Bofill and Jamie Foubert.” WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Quite honestly, I don’t know. Each project is like a new relationship in which you explore all the possibilities the customer and the project have to offer. Inspiration and style take root from so many different
things: past experiences, places you’ve been, ideas in your head and, finally, a thorough process to dissect their essence in order to create a unique story for each project. Style is almost secondary and arises from the decision-making of several projects.” WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM BLAINEY NORTH IN THE FUTURE? “Expect the unexpected. I feel as if I am personally entering a design renaissance, as I feel my creativity awakening in an utterly different manner. We have established an office in London and want to spend more time in Europe. I absolutely adore the London energy, having lived there for a while as a child. Our new furniture collection, independently of style and trends, will also be launched at the end of 2017.”
Liaigre Belgium Waterloo Boulevard, 57 1000 Brussels T +32 2 513 22 10 contact-be@liaigre.com WWW.LIAIGRE .COM
IMAGICASA | 19
ARCHITECTURE
© ADAM LETCH
Text: Jules Maeyens
20 | IMAGICASA
bOSJES CHAPEL GOD IN EVERY DETAIL
BIBLICAL INSPIRATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
22 | IMAGICASA
Bosjes Chapel is an impressive structure where visitors are almost literally in touch with God’s creation. Nestled between the vineyards of the old Bosjes farm in the South African municipality of Witzenberg, the chapel was designed by Coetzee Steyn. The architect studied at the University of Cape Town and is head of the London Steyn Studio. Bosjes Chapel is his most recent homage to his native country.
T
he serene architecture is a tribute to the historic Cape Dutch facades that appear everywhere in the countryside of Cape Winelands. At the same time, the chapel reflects the silhouette of the surrounding mountain ranges. Built as a slender concrete shell, the roof supports itself as the dramatic waves are in direct contact with the ground. Large windows fill the spaces between the subfloor and the roof. Where the different glass plates border on each other, a simple wooden crucifix supports the complete construction, which literally and figuratively gives it power. BIBLICAL INSPIRATION Steyn Studio is a collaboration of several architects who believe that design has the ability to solve problems, inspire people and improve lives. The aim is to do this as honestly as possible and with sufficient freedom to discover meaningful design solutions in a creative way. This architectural firm wants to create things that make a real difference for the client or visitor, both culturally and commercially. For the design of Bosjes Chapel, architect Coetzee Steyn drew inspiration from the Bible, more specifically Psalm 36: “How precious is your love, God! In the shadow of your wings people find shelter.” IMAGICASA | 23
These poetic words are clearly expressed in the architecture of the Bosjes Chapel, which reflects the surroundings, with its many mountains, lakes and rivers, and turns the chapel into a natural hiding place.
A STRIKING WHITE SHELL ’CREATED’ AS A DYNAMIC STRUCTURE THAT SEEMS TO FLOAT IN THE VALLEY 24 | IMAGICASA
The striking white shell of the chapel is as it were’ created’ as a dynamic structure that seems to float in the valley. The pond at the front reflects the building and emphasizes once again this apparent weightlessness. Raised on a plinth, the chapel forms a hierarchical eye-catcher in its surroundings and stands in contrast to the flat land on which it is built. New planting, including a vineyard and pomegranate orchard, also gives rise to a lush green oasis on the otherwise fallow ground. GOD IN EVERY DETAIL Bosjes Chapel was built in a simple rectangular ground plan with modest materials. However, this neutral atmosphere inside contrasts with the impressive nature and the view of the vineyards and mountains. The shape and layout of the space are kept as pure and simple as possible. All functional elements of the building are discreetly hidden behind skirting boards or in the corners of the surrounding garden. The chapel misses a spire because Steyn was also inspired by the simple architecture of the Moravian missionary houses that were built in the region in the 19th century. In this way, the building attracts less attention to itself and the relationship with the environment and God becomes more evident.
CAFEINE.BE
RRINTERIEUR.BE
OPEN ON SUNDAY ! CLOSED WEDNESDAY
STO RE . RR INTERIOR
STORE . RR CO R N E R
T HE MU LTI B RA NDS STO R E
SEL ECT ED I T E M S | LIM IT E D E DIT IO NS
Natiënlaan 215 . Knokke T +32 50 622 633
Kustlaan 68 . Knokke - Zoute T +32 50 622 133
R R LUX E M BU R G 49-53 Route d’Arlon - 8009 Strassen T +352.288.033