Vincent Van Duysen

Vincent Van Duysen was born in Lokeren, Belgium in 1962. He took a degree in architecture at the Higher Institute of Architecture Sint-Lucas in Ghent. In 1986 and 1987 he worked in Milan collaborating with Aldo Cibic. In 1990 he opened his own studio in Antwerp, concentrating on architecture.

His first residential projects are always treated in a way which merges architecture and interior in a subtle manner. With the Concordia offices his reputation as an architect was undeniably established. Ever since his office is involved in architecture as well as in interior architecture, shop and furniture design.

Most of his designs originate from his architectural projects. He develops his furniture from an architect’s point of view which means starting from space rather than from shape. It can be considered as a rescaling of his architectural work.

Vincent Van Duysen always works in an upright way, making timeless pieces with tactile and pure materials. This means that the expression ‘design’ is a bit unfortunate since it has a temporary and artificial undertone, opposite to his objectives. His designs refer to primary forms or historical objects, redefining them in a contemporary way, averse from all tendencies. The balance between shape and vision is an important aspect in his work as well as durability and functionality, comfort. However, Vincent does not shy away from aesthetics; to him it is an essential part of the ‘art of life’: the emotional side of architecture.

Today his Antwerp based office has realizations and projects in progress in Belgium and abroad. His work is being published in many books, magazines and exhibitions worldwide. A first monograph edited by GG Editorial - Spain was released in 2001. A second monograph has been launched on March 15th 2010 by Thames & Hudson.