Hans De Pelsmacker

For years on end the occupants of a stately residence in Courtrai are collecting art objects, exotic travel souvenirs and everyday things arousing special memories. During the recent renovation of the house, they asked to make their collection visibly present in some sort of kunstkammer or collection room of curiosities.
The original idea to design a series of showcases developed into a design conceptualizing the size of the gateway and the two identical storeys above it as one transparent showcase, in which the collection of objects, the occupants themselves, the visiting grandchildren and the leisure activities are interwoven into one lively event.
First of all, parts of the floors and ceilings were opened up to create a showcase from top to bottom. The design from the ground floor to the second storey is one labyrinth accumulation of transparent and closed geometric glass and wooden volumes in which all kinds of functions are integrated.
This monumental show-box includes separate workbenches, mirror-faced showcases, a travel documentation corner with google earth, a children's room that can be converted into a puppet theatre, privies, a puzzle table, a wash and iron room and all sorts of storeroom.
The original design included alabaster light drains on the wall of the three storeys.

Private commission
In cooperation with architect Annemie De Meulemeester
Materials: plywood oak, glass Saint-Gobain, Vanceva, natural stone