Namahn

Namahn's studios used to house Maison Goemaere, printers to the Belgian Court and publishers, from 1835 to 1995. Since we bought the building, we conducted two major renovations: like the way we work in general, these combine respect for the tried and tested with room for inspiration and exploration.We are currently undertaking a third wave of renovations.

The extensive library links the front offices to the "open space" and the purpose-built design studio.  This open area receives natural light from the roof. Part of it is a sprung wooden floor perfect for dancing, there’s a cooking and eating counter, and the rest is all-purpose space.More office space has been created by refurbishing original workshops, while retaining their characteristic glass and wood partitions.

It would be selfish to keep all this space to ourselves! We are happy to share it with artists in residence, both long-term tenants and regular visitors. We have also provided a film and photography critic's unique private library with a home.

The Design Studio is a large, 92m² room intended for co-creation, knowledge sharing, design explorations and walkthroughs.

A multi-layered grid can be manipulated to enhance collaboration among disciplines, visualisation of concepts and competition between strong ideas.

Design is accelerated, becomes agile and informs the development of the service or the product, making good time to market.

Technical details

There are 58 reversible, interchangeable, multi-functional door panels: you can write on them like whiteboards or apply magnets to them, use them as table-tops, or let them block the view from the central space. Four enormous skylights and full-height glass doors to the central, open space bring in lots of light. Heating comes from the floor.

All panels can be turned into tables on trestles with two possible heights: normal desk and standing desk (for real work ...).

75m² built and fitted out during the first phase of renovation, the Library goes beyond its daily occupation of housing our book and magazine collection to offer a space for all sorts of meetings and events. The large tables and subtly sculpted skylights create a very calm atmosphere for browsing.

Technical details

• Over 1000 specialised books
• Many specialised magazines
• 2 large tables (1,5 x 3,0 meters)
• Large wall for projection
• Perfect for lectures and presentations

More than 200m² of open space divided into 3 areas forms a hub between the offices and public spaces. The entire length of the space is lit by soft, indirect northern daylight from the transparent rooftop or by fluorescent tubes and spotlights in the evening.

Technical details

Dance floor area (94m²)

Public criss-crossing space that groups, crowds and individuals use for presenting, performing and practising

Kitchen and lounge area (34m²)

The most central area, a magnet that groups of all sizes use for cooking, eating and socializing

Sports area (90m²)

Open access, public space that teams and individuals use for playing, watching, repairing

• Wooden, floating dance floor with uniform bounce
• Amplifier and speakers with mini-jack connection
• Wood burning "rocket" stove and heated bench
• Refrigerators, hotplates, sink and cupboards
• Basketball hoop, ping-pong table
• Bicycle parking area