Inspiration

At Hertog Jan Botanic, you immediately feel like you're entering a place steeped in history. The monumental building in the Botanical Garden, once an urban outdoor space for botanical knowledge and tranquility, has been given new life without losing its soul. This layered atmosphere provides the ideal setting for two protagonists who are themselves writing a rich culinary history: Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens. Their journey from the original Hertog Jan in Bruges—three Michelin stars, an international reputation, a personal culinary signature—to their reinvention in Antwerp is a story of daring, curiosity, and constant refinement.

Bar Bulot in Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp — heritage that breathes, acoustics that embrace Once upon a time, the rhythm of cloisters and sick wards resounded here. Since 1238, this historic Botanic estate has accumulated so many layers of time that every stone whispers a story. The Gothic chapel, the monumental windows, the serene courtyard… everything conveys the quiet grandeur of a place that for centuries exuded care, peace, and devotion. Today, that past lives on in a new chapter. Bar Bulot nestles within that heritage as a fresh, elegant interpretation of hospitality. You feel it immediately upon entering: light that fills the space, sky-blue and white that lift the interior, details that exude refinement.

For Restaurant Est, MonaVisa integrated an acoustic stretch ceiling that subtly absorbs reverberation without disrupting the minimalist design. The ceiling remains visually invisible, yet tangibly creates a sense of calm, clarity in conversation, and focus—even during full service.

A new building that disappears to make an impression On a discreet estate just outside Brussels, an entrepreneurial family—preferring to remain in the background—opted for a radical approach: no renovation, but a completely new building that nestles seamlessly into the landscape. The building has a sleek, modern appearance, almost grounded in nature. Raw concrete, solid bluestone, and unfiltered views define the architectural language. Large expanses of glass draw the greenery indoors and allow the surrounding hills to flow seamlessly.