- Outdoor
A new year, a clean slate. With a fresh calendar under our arms, we asked our partners to look back and look ahead to their projects, and their current situation. Avantgarden from Wijnegem is a design office of landscape architects with international allure. For 35 years they have been drawing up sustainable gardens and landscapes. In between two pencil strokes, CEO Luk Logist found the time to speak to us.
What is last year's project you are most proud of, and why?
“The reworking/restyling of a garden of Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, 2 icons of the English garden architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. This historic garden is located in Godalming, in the county of Surrey. We are very proud to have been able to do this work, as it was not easy to stand up as a Belgian office against all the well-known English designers.” 
"Our team of specialists is so diverse – from pure design to technical studies to ecology and landscape."
What are you looking forward to professionally this year? What are the developments towards the future?
“Our design office is growing steadily. In the last six months, 4 employees have been added, each with their own interests, experiences and expertise. Meanwhile, our team of specialists is so diverse – from pure design to technical studies to ecology and landscape – that we are ready for further challenges and growth. Our projects range from city and villa gardens to large-scale residential projects to real landscapes.”
What would you like to do in your sector that you have not yet been able to do?
“Execution of a project with an iconic value and an international reputation. The Antwerp Gedempte Zuiderdokken project, for example. Unfortunately, in an international competition with more than 60 candidates, we just missed it. A Swiss office will now take care of it.”
Who is/are your most important business partner/s?
“In addition to our private clients at home and abroad (the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, England, Germany, Israel, etc.), Avantgarden is also used by project developers, architects and sometimes by public authorities. We often work together with other engineering firms, certainly on competition projects.”
What do you wish for yourself and your (potential) clients for the new year, apart from a classic such as 'good health'?
“Peace and joy of life, and that we can all make the necessary efforts to control climate change.”
With this heartwarming wish, our heater can be put at a lower level. Thanks!
All Images Courtesy of Avantgardenn