https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2431-4157
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Abstract
This article reflects upon the practice of material reuse in contemporary interior design through a case study of the decomposition of the interiors of the Generale Bank in Brussels and the reuse of its fragments in new projects. Three research questions steered the analysis: How were the fragments of the interiors of the Generale Bank preserved and reused? Can the decomposition of historic interiors and the reuse of their fragments be a valuable strategy for their conservation? How does the meaning of the fragment shift in its new context? The first part of the paper presents documentation and critical reflection on the process of decomposition and reuse of the fragments of the Generale Bank. The second part includes a more general discussion of the comparison between modern forms of material reuse and the ancient practice of spolia and considers the potential and pitfalls of reusing fragments as a method for the preservation of historic interiors. The conclusion elaborates on the meaning of the fragment in a new ensemble.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1 Where up to the 19th century the average lifespan of a building was about 120 years, this dropped to only 60 years—but frequently even 20 to 30 years—for modern buildings (Normandin Citation2013). For interiors, the lifespan is generally five years (Douglas Citation2006).
2 https://docomomo.be/building/warandebergmontagne-du-parc-office-generale-bank-bnp-paribas/, accessed March 5, 2021; interview with Pierre and Pablo Lhoas (Docomomo Belgium and Lhoas & Lhoas Architects), March 25, 2021.
3 Six interviews were conducted in the period January–March 2021.
4 Interview with Lionel Devlieger (Rotor), January 21, 2021.
5 Interview with Loraine Beckers (BNP Parisbas Fortis), March 9, 2021.
6 Four Belgian museums with 20th century design collections were contacted in the context of this study: Design Museum Ghent, Design Museum Brussels, Centre d’Innovation et de Design Grand-Hornu, and the Art and History Museum Brussels.
7 Telephone conversation with the curator of Design Museum Ghent on February 17, 2021.
8 In the exhibition rooms, the lighting fixtures were replaced by museum lighting in 2018 to better preserve the collection. Email correspondence with Design Museum Brussels, February 17, 2021; interview with Pierre and Pablo Lhoas (Docomomo Belgium and Lhoas & Lhoas Architects), March 25, 2021.
9 Interview with Pierre and Pablo Lhoas (Docomomo Belgium and Lhoas & Lhoas Architects), March 25, 2021.
10 www.rotordb.org, accessed March 4, 2021.
11 Interview with Nathan Ooms (Plusoffice), March 12, 2021.
12 Interview with Lionel Devlieger (Rotor), January 21, 2021.
13 Interview with architect Nathalie De Leeuw, March 12, 2021.
14 Interview with Lionel Devlieger (Rotor), January 21, 2021.
15 https://www.montagneduparc-warandeberg.be/project/patrimonium, accessed 09/03/2021; interview with Lionel Devlieger (Rotor), January 21, 2021; interview with Loraine Beckers (BNP Paribas Fortis), March 9, 2021; Devlieger (Citation2017).
16 The techniques to carve and transport granite elements were rediscovered in the late 15th century. This revival of former craftsmanship also steered the reuse of ancient granite fragments in Renaissance architecture (Waters Citation2016).
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Bie Plevoets
Bie Plevoets studied Interior Architecture and Conservation, and obtained a PhD on adaptive reuse, approached from an interior perspective. Currently, she is assistant professor at the research group TRACE of the Faculty of Architecture and Arts at Hasselt University, Belgium and a postdoctoral fellow of the FWO Flanders. Her research focuses on adaptive reuse theory and various conceptual strategies to intervene in the existing fabric. Her current research project is entitled ‘Reusing the ruin: Building upon the fragmentary fabric’. She is the author of the book ‘Adaptive Reuse of the Built Heritage: Concepts and Cases of an Emerging Discipline’ (with Koenraad Van Cleempoel; Routledge, 2019). She chairs the Master programs in Interior Architecture and teaches the Theory Module in the international Master of Interior Architecture—Adaptive Reuse. Email: [email protected]