Renowned painter and sculptor Stief Desmet was in need of a sizable artist space to accommodate his needs and his larger works. He commissioned Belgian studio Graux & Baeyens Architecten for the project. The firm embraced the notion of the pared-back environment, eliminating distracting aesthetic cues and ultimately curating an artist space that is "sober but brutal." A strong industrial vibe is felt throughout the spacious and airy layout, contributing to the distraction-free atmosphere, however, also achieving a level of style through contemporary sensibilities.
The atelier is divided into two main spaces — one is double-height, embracing "the coldest materials." This includes bare concrete and breeze blocks. The other volume, on the other hand, is a wooden cuboid that offers a little bit more warmth.
Photo Credits: Jeroen Verrecht
Raw Warehouse-Inspired Artist Spaces
Graux & Baeyens Curates the Studio of Stief Desmet
Trend Themes
1. Raw Warehouse-inspired Design - The trend of creating artist spaces with a raw, industrial aesthetic offers an opportunity for architects and designers to embrace a pared-back environment and eliminate distracting aesthetic cues.
2. Spacious and Airy Layouts - The trend of designing artist spaces with spacious and airy layouts provides an opportunity for architects and designers to create distraction-free atmospheres that enhance creativity.
3. Contemporary Sensibilities in Artist Spaces - The trend of incorporating contemporary sensibilities into artist spaces allows architects and designers to achieve a stylish look while still maintaining a minimalistic and focused environment.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Design - Architects and designers have an opportunity to disrupt traditional artist space design by creating raw and industrial-inspired spaces that promote focus and creativity.
2. Fine Arts - The fine arts industry can benefit from the trend of spacious and airy layouts in artist spaces, as it enhances the overall creative process and provides the necessary space for larger works.
3. Construction and Materials - The construction and materials industry can explore innovative materials and techniques to create artist spaces with both a raw industrial aesthetic and a contemporary design sensibility.