- Art & Design
Umbris grew in recent years into a Belgian pioneer in the design and manufacture of bespoke slatted roofs. Today, the company is synonymous with sophisticated outdoor living, with roots in almost 30 years of experience in high-quality metal constructions through its parent company MEBO. Inge Bogaert and Filip Melis founded the brand in 2009 from a clear understanding: a roofing should not only be functional, but also contribute aesthetically to the architecture of the home.
Each Umbris structure is unique. No standard modules or repetitive shapes, but a design that starts from the context of the house and the lifestyle of the residents. Production, finishing and installation take place entirely in-house, in the Lokeren workshop. This allows the team to keep control over every detail, from the thickness of the aluminium to the powder coating of profiles, and technical elements such as motors can be integrated seamlessly and invisibly. 
The expertise that parent company MEBO built up for years in steel, stainless steel and aluminium - visible in projects such as the Havenhuis in Antwerp and Rogierplein in Brussels - is applied at Umbris on a smaller scale but no less precise. The result: slat roofs in which craftsmanship, technology and design merge into an almost architectural object.
Here, outdoor space becomes a true extension of life.
A concept starts with a personal meeting at the concept store in Lokeren. The team takes the time to understand the moments people want to experience under their roof. Whether intimate dinners, garden parties or a quiet place to read, each design is tailored to that specific use. After a site visit and 3D visualisation, the technical phase follows, including mapping out foundations, electricity and other facilities. Everything is worked out in-house: design, production, installation. Umbris offers an impressive combination of options: fixed or movable roof sections, shutters, screen cloths, closed walls, lighting and heating. These are integrated into one pared-down whole. Post profiles are slim and strategically placed; replaced by decorative support structures wherever possible. This creates a structure that looks airy while being firmly anchored. 
Umbris also thinks long term. Thanks to continuous investment, the brand continues to respond to changing needs. From new materials to expandable modules: what is installed today grows with the user tomorrow. The modular character does not mean uniformity, but just more room for adaptation and refinement. Production in Lokeren, the choice of European materials and personal contact with each customer are the foundation. Here, outdoor space becomes a true extension of life. Umbris shows how precision, experience and design can transform a modest slat roof into a fully-fledged architectural gesture with lasting value. 
Curious to discover more? Don’t miss ‘Belgian Craftsmanship II’!
Photography by Bart Gosselin
Carolien Depamelaere