IN BRUEGES

client: Men at Work

When we first saw the 500-m2 , former carpet centre in the historic centre of Brueges (BE) we just fell in love with the stale character of the rather run-down place and proposed to retain the soul of the space. Almost all existing elements were preserved – yet used in a new, and at times exaggerated way. Radiators, are given a second life as display fittings. Clamped lamps serve as miniature displays for small goods. Peculiar old-fashioned armchairs with velvet upholstering are scattered throughout the shop. The sliding walls – typical for local party centres – we found in the storage room, are utilized as doors for the fitting rooms. The cashpoint is decked with another discovery we made: paving tiles, which we also used to construct the floor. Together with the original lathed ceiling and striplighting, and plenty of succulents, the shop oozes gezellig (enjoyable) through every vein. A special addition is the presence of two canary cockbirds, who felt such at ease in the shop they gave birth to several young ones six weeks after the store had opened its doors.
Photos by Olivier Fourniqet