By Marie-José Van Hee

The Belgian architect Marie-José Van Hee takes a special place in contemporary architecture. She is best known for her residences and renovations, her own iconic house has been published in numerous books and magazines. She is doubtless an architect for architects – her work is greatly appreciated by Belgian and international colleagues. But her oeuvre is also very attractive for a wider audience that is interested in architecture and lifestyle. The book is conceived in such a way that it offers the broadest and most comprehensive overview of her oeuvre: sketches, renovations, new constructions, competitions, furniture and bridge designs. It introduces an extensive series of sketches because the drawings embody her first powerful ideas for a design. Next to the introduction by Katrien Vandermarliere, essays by architects/critics Helen Thomas, Javier Fernandéz Contreras and Christian Kieckens were included. The architect pays a lot of attention to the implantation of her buildings in the local context and nature plays an important role in her private homes (inner gardens). To emphasize the human aspect – after all, a house is inhabited by people – three testimonials from residents were recorded. They explain why they deliberately chose this architect, describe their experiences during the construction process and why they are so satisfied with their new home.