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Having existed for over 100 years, the Vandewiele company is known for its high quality looms, used for textile manufacturing. Steven Vandenborre Architects have renovated their headquarters in Kortrijk, Belgium, restoring the towering building to former glory.

The expansive space once facilitated machine manufacturing in the 1940s and was then transformed in the ’90s into a closed, unexciting office space. The tall concrete structure was covered with floating ceilings, and dividing walls created claustrophobic office rooms. Large windows were covered, depleting the interior of natural light. The architects sought to re-open the original factory hall and reclaim its historical, industrial character.

“Our winning proposal was based on the landscape of a city with streets, open and closed spaces, squares where people can meet and have a small talk, drink a coffee, discuss,” explained Steven Vandenborre Architects.

The open-plan office is divided by elegant timber volumes of varying height; some reach the ceiling to create private meeting rooms, others are low as casual dividers between workspaces. Curved edges make the interplay of each volume feel more relaxed and dynamic. The architects chose to craft each structure out of one single material, oak walnut timber, to create a soft and harmonious aesthetic.

Details in materials such as bronze, corian and felt enhance the walnut timber. Desks are arranged in parallel formations, adding a sense of structure and precision. Large windows are directly next to the workstations, meaning employees can enjoy mostly natural light. Long led strip lights also hang from the ceiling, enhancing the impressive length of the industrial building.

“Acoustic interventions between the desks and floating fields are needed to create a warm and calm sphere. The large windows bring the trees from the inner garden inside the offices. It feels like working in a large luxurious loft,” concluded the architects.

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