- Interior
Studio Corkinho, a Belgian design studio, created a simple space, called Still Room, in the 19th century Noorderpershuis in Antwerp. The concept of Still Room is a space to unwind, a space where it is quiet and where visitors can become quiet. According to the founders of Studio Corkinho, this 'architectural silence' is at the base of their every design.
The Antwerp design studio was founded by Belgian Cédric Etienne and Swedish Class Dalquist. This collaboration originated in the Portuguese hills when Etienne and Dalquist decided to capture the silence and tranquillity of the surroundings. In a world where we receive an abundance of information and stimuli every day, Studio Corkinho wants to design spaces that bring peace and quiet to the visitor. But how on earth do we create spaces that are 'silent'? Still Room is a unique demonstration of this principle.
Still Room is reduced to the absolute base of interior design.
Still Room is reduced to the absolute base of interior design, encouraging the visitor to think about his humanity. It was placed in an eleven meter high tower and because the Noorderpershuis is protected, the designers had to be extremely careful. The design was inspired by monasteries that Etienne had visited on his travels to Japan. What is most striking about the space is how empty and austere it is. The only thing there is a desk with a chair, a bed and some books. 
The space has no specific function. This creates a great variety of people visiting Still Room. Studio Corkinho describes Still Room as a 'shelter for the mind'. The philosophy behind this project resonates with a lot of people. Finding a moment of peace for yourself is not always easy in today's Western world. 
Photography by Piet-Albert Goethals