Dark matter
A black rubber-clad villa in Belgium is in our good books
designed by erik Van Biervliet in the 1960s, the Museum dhondt-dhaenens is one of the most stylish private art establishments in Belgium, with a treasure trove of a collection to match. now, a new project by artist hans op de Beeck, in collaboration with architect Mo Vandenberghe of studio Moto, has been added to the grounds. The Wunderkammer residence transforms an existing 1930s villa on the estate into a Gesamtkunstwerk to house the museum’s library, including the personal book collection of Belgian curator jan hoet (1936-2014). The epdm rubber-clad structure will also host artists, curators, researchers and writers as part of a residency programme organised by the museum. ‘The black casing creates an abstract version of the original, almost kitschy, cottage-style villa, transforming it into a sculptural, monumental art piece in the idyllic leie landscape,’ says op de Beeck. The monochrome MDF interior follows the same approach and provides the perfect backdrop for an immersive experience, especially orchestrated to spark dialogue and discovery. studiomoto.be; hansopdebeeck.com