- Interior
We probably don't need to tell you any more who Stef Claes is. With his beautiful, serene projects, this Belgian architect conquered the national and international interior and architecture world. Imagicasa is proud to shine the spotlight on his story and a recent impressive project by this talented architect.
The foundation for Stef Claes' career as an architect was laid early on. From an early age, he was already sketching floor plans and houses and was inspired by houses around him. Simply put, he designs contemplative and peaceful spaces, by revisiting 'the real meaning of life'. He speaks an architectural language of authenticity, simplicity and purity. 
Stef Claes currently lives in Geneva, but has been realising projects all over Europe since 2014. The interior designer already has a lot of international experience and a great passion for his profession, and this is reflected in his projects. In his designs, he always combines interior design with architecture. This is how he arrives at his own personal architectural language, because the designer does not try to pursue a particular style and simply does his own thing and be himself. Using simple yet powerful colours and materials, he creates timeless designs that are warm, rich, understated and earthy each time. To get to know this talented architect better together, Claes made time for Imagicasa and we talked to him about his most recent project in Knokke.
A magnificent residence near the Duinenwater, a new and exciting part of the seaside town. Intended as a weekend home for a Belgian couple who lived in Singapore for a long time, the abode was decorated with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture. Supplemented by some Southeast Asian influences as a nod to the couple's fondness for the country of Singapore, the Seaside Retreat instantly became a personal story complemented by contemporary craftsmanship, de- tailoring and finishing... The blend of classic architectural lines and complementary decorative elements with contemporary craftsmanship, detailing and finishing produces a space that is both structured and unpretentious. The client had previously worked with the Belgian architect, so Claes was perfectly aware of their wishes, requirements and desires. 
An aura of extreme luxury
The key words that immediately come to mind are: refined and subtle but not too precious or monumental either. On the contrary, very warm and livable. Furthermore, he managed to achieve a fascinating approach to spaces. He transformed what felt like a circulation space into one where a sense of openness was created thanks to the use of oversized sliding wooden panels. So much space was freed up which exuded an extreme form of luxury. By striving for tranquillity and natural light, Stef Claes opened up the house to its surroundings to make it a warm retreat full of midcentury accents and craftsmanship that reflects all the rituals of seaside retreat. 
Photography by Eric Petschek