Turnhout is more than a location. The city holds one of Belgium's most coherent concentrations of post-war modernist architecture, a rich collection of public art and a series of curated walking routes that connect buildings, landscapes and everyday spaces. This page brings together the key references for exploring it, before or after your visit to the gallery.

Art in Public Space

Turnhout features a number of significant public artworks integrated into its urban fabric. Sculptures by artists such as Rik Poot, Paul Gees and Luk Van Soom are situated across squares, parks and residential areas, contributing to the city's character as an open-air environment where architecture and art coexist.

Turnhoutse School

Turnhout is home to a remarkable concentration of Belgian post-war modernist architecture, often referred to as the Turnhoutse School. Rather than a formal movement, this term describes a group of like-minded architects active in and around Turnhout during the 1960s and early 1970s, including Paul Neefs, Paul Schellekens, Carli Vanhout and Lou Jansen. Their work operates at the intersection of international late modernism and a more context-sensitive, regional approach to architecture.  They developed an architectural language that is both rational and deeply attuned to human experience. Today, the Turnhoutse School is regarded as one of the most coherent, yet still under-recognised, manifestations of late modernist architecture in Flanders. For further insight, the series 'De Modernisten' features an episode dedicated to Paul Neefs, you can watch the episode below.

Architectural Walks in Turnhout

Turnhout offers several architectural walking routes that allow you to explore its modernist buildings in context. These routes are developed by AR-TUR and Erfgoed Noorderkempen and guide you through residential neighbourhoods, hidden façades and lesser-known buildings. The route 'Quiet Places in the City' focuses on more contemplative locations, highlighting the relationship between architecture, landscape and everyday life.

→  Modernist Turnhout in 10 000 Steps

Toerist Modernist

For a broader perspective on Belgian modernist architecture, Toerist Modernist offers a curated overview of modernist architecture across Belgium, including a dedicated architectural walk in Turnhout.

→  Buy the Book