Turnhout Modernism on the Path to European Recognition

Heritage Noorderkempen, together with several partners, has submitted a dossier to Creative Europe to put the modernist heritage of Turnhout and the Kempen on the international map. The application is part of the broader project Modernism in the Kempen (MIK) and focuses on preserving, sustaining, and revaluing a unique architectural movement with deep roots in the region.

Even before the post-war boom period, architects like Jozef Schellekens and Eugène Wauters laid the foundation for a modernist approach that was ahead of its time. Their work formed the basis on which later generations could build.

In the decades following the war, Turnhout grew into a hotbed of progressive architecture. Remarkably, in this relatively small city, several modernist firms were active simultaneously—with notable names such as Carli Vanhout and Paul Schellekens, Paul Neefs, Rudi Schiltz, and Lou Jansen. Their achievements—including Master Meubel, the Warande, Parkwijk, and the Sint-Victor School—not only shaped the cityscape but also reflect a broader European design language centered on light, functionality, and social vision.

Today, this heritage is under pressure. Many buildings are vulnerable and not always recognized or protected. Moreover, restoration often requires specialized knowledge and commitment from owners. Therefore, efforts are being made at both the Flemish and European levels for more support and recognition.