Turnhout Modernism on the Road to European Recognition

Erfgoed Noorderkempen, together with a number of partners, has submitted a file to Creative Europe to put the modernist heritage of Turnhout and the Campine region on the international map. The application is part of the broader Modernism in the Kempen (MIK) project and focuses on preserving, making sustainable and reevaluating a unique architectural movement with deep roots in the region.

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

In the decades after the war, Turnhout grew into a breeding ground for progressive architecture. It is remarkable that in this relatively small city, several modernist firms were active at the same time – with resounding names such as Carli Vanhout and Paul Schellekens, Paul Neefs, Rudi Schiltz and Lou Jansen. Their realizations – including Master Meubel, the Warande, Parkwijk and the Saint Victor School – not only determined the cityscape, but also reflect a broader European design language in which light, functionality and social vision are central.

Today, that heritage is under pressure. Many buildings are vulnerable and not always recognised or protected. Moreover, restoration often requires specialized knowledge and commitment from owners. That is why work is being done at both Flemish and European level to provide more support and recognition.