At Maison Moderniste, we believe design is more than objects, it's a way of seeing the world, from a perfectly proportioned chair to the lines of a modernist building that shape how we live and move through a city. Our gallery is rooted in Turnhout, a city that carries a fascinating architectural story, and beyond the treasures you'll find inside Maison Moderniste, we invite you to step outside and explore the gems that make this place so special.

In the golden sixties, Belgian cities experienced economic, demographic, and cultural growth, and late modernist architecture began to shape the streetscape. Turnhout was no exception, and here several architects made their mark: Paul Neefs, Atelier Vanhout & Schellekens, and the office of Lou Jansen & Rudi Schiltz. Their work became known collectively as the Turnhoutse School, although each architect maintained a distinct approach within the framework of late modernism. Their designs gained international attention in architectural magazines for their clarity and refinement, often showcasing modern and carefully detailed private homes.

The architecture of the Turnhoutse School is clear, rational, and human in scale. Flat roofs, open plans, clean lines, and clever use of light give these buildings a timeless quality. Yet they are not abstract experiments, they are rooted in the rhythms of family life, the neighborhood, and the landscape of the Kempen. Often described as 'everyday modernism', the Turnhoutse School was modest yet radical, international in vision but deeply local in execution.

To bring this story closer, you can discover more about architect Paul Neefs in the KLARA series 'De Modernisten'. His 1963 family home in Oud-Turnhout, a striking twelve-sided geometric design rising from the Kempen fields, is featured in the episode. You'll find the video at the bottom of this page. 

When you visit Maison Moderniste, why not make a day of it? Thanks to AR-TUR and Erfgoed Noorderkempen, you can download free walking routes that guide you along Turnhout's most valuable architectural highlights. Wander through quiet residential streets, discover hidden façades, and see how architecture and daily life intertwine in this corner of Belgium.

Think of it as a double journey: inside the gallery you'll find vintage design pieces that once lived in modernist interiors, and outside you'll discover the buildings that gave those interiors their context.

Not everyone explores a city in the same way. Some crave the liveliness of streets and façades, while others look for places where time seems to pause. For those who prefer to step away from the bustle, AR-TUR created another map: Quiet Places in the City. This route guides you to sheltered, sometimes hidden spots where architecture meets literature and silence. These are places of reflection, where the noise of the city fades and you can slow down, breathe, and simply observe. 

And while you are walking through the city, keep your eyes open for artworks in the public space. Turnhout is not only home to modernist buildings but also to striking sculptures by artists such as Rik Poot, Paul Gees, and Luk Van Soom. Their works punctuate squares and green spaces, adding another layer to the urban fabric. Together with the architecture, they invite you to experience the city as an open-air museum.

So whether you're drawn to the bold lines of the Turnhoutse School, the calm rhythms of Turnhout's urban retreats, or the powerful presence of public art, there's a route for you, and all of them begin at the same place: Maison Moderniste. Because beauty isn't only in the pieces we collect, it's in the way we live with them, the streets we walk, and the homes we inhabit.