Turnhout’s Modernism on the Path to European Recognition

Erfgoed Noorderkempen, together with several partners, has submitted a dossier 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, sustaining and revaluing a unique architectural movement with deep roots in the region.

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

In the decades following the war, Turnhout grew into a hotbed of progressive architecture. Remarkably, several modernist firms were active simultaneously in this relatively small city – with renowned names such as Carli Vanhout and Paul Schellekens, Paul Neefs, Rudi Schiltz, and Lou Jansen. Their realizations – including Master Meubel, de Warande, Parkwijk, and the Saint Victor School – not only shaped the cityscape but also reflect a broader European design language in which light, functionality and social vision are central.

Today, this heritage is under pressure. Many buildings are vulnerable and not always recognised or protected. Moreover, restoration often requires specialized knowledge and commitment from owners. Therefore, efforts are being made at both Flemish and European levels to provide more support and recognition.