- Design
Silence, texture and craftsmanship; these are the three pillars behind the work of Alexandre and Henri Hermans. Based in Brussels and Antwerp, the brothers build on a shared but multifaceted vision of design. With Studio Hermano and Fré-Ro, they bring objects to life that add an extra dimension to any space. Layered in meaning, pure in execution.
Alexandre Hermans, the creative brain behind Studio Hermano, works from an instinctive desire for simplification. His sculptures speak a visual language that breathes tranquillity. Each work is the result of a process that cannot be forced. Instead of setting a fixed end goal, he lets the creative process steer itself. This creates space for form, feeling and materiality, independent of external influences. The strength of his work lies in the structure he manages to find within a chaotic whole - sometimes with rough contours, sometimes just subdued and refined. Although sculptures currently play the leading role in his oeuvre, Alexandre also increasingly explores the boundaries of the two-dimensional. His abstract paintings share the same aesthetic roots: calm, layered and precisely balanced. They are extensions of the same inner quest. In this way, Studio Hermano continues to grow in depth. 
Parallel to this individual practice, he developed the lighting brand Fré-Ro with his brother Henri. Whereas Studio Hermano is introspective, Fré-Ro translates that sensitivity into objects that activate the interior. The “Tala Asa” collection consists of five light sculptures, each executed in a natural shade. They are designed in Antwerp and handcrafted by an artisan in the US. Each piece is unique, with subtle variations in shape and colour. The materials and raw textures seem to follow their own path, resulting in sculptural lamps that are equally art objects.
The materials and raw textures seem to follow their own path, resulting in sculptural lamps that are equally art objects
What binds both projects is their attention to the story behind the object. The brothers grew up in an environment where interiors and design were ubiquitous. This background seeps into their work: not as nostalgia, but as a grounded sensitivity to proportions, atmosphere and matter. With Fré-Ro, they consciously bet on small-scale production and a recognisable style that stands out from trends. Their lamps are more than functional objects - they form a dialogue with the space they end up in. 
In Studio Hermano and Fré-Ro, two approaches meet: the contemplative silence of the studio and its tangible translation into residential objects. Neither makes concessions in terms of material choice or process. In their interweaving, they demonstrate that Belgian craftsmanship is not bound by tradition, but comes from a keen eye, a steady hand and the courage to work slowly. 
Curious to discover more? Don’t miss ‘Belgian Craftsmanship II’!"
Images by Studio Hermano & Frero
Text by Carolien Depamelaere