Since Walter Gropius' concept of "Total Architecture," empowering the architect to design everything, implosive design has taken over spaces. From then on, every detail, surface, or piece of furniture was under the supervision of one central figure: the architect. If nowadays this pivotal position tends to mutate and disappear from our profession, Damejeanne café might be one of those rare exceptions where the architect is still free to act in every field, from the city to the teaspoon.
The project was born from the client’s vision to introduce a new venue in Brussels, inspired by the Aperitivo culture that thrives across Italy. At first, the young entrepreneur had no precise location in mind. While the trendy neighborhoods of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles seemed like the obvious choices—already bustling with bars and restaurants—our attention was drawn elsewhere. We saw an opportunity to contribute to the city’s regeneration by situating the café along an elegant yet underutilized boulevard on the edge of downtown.
Our role as architects began with guiding the client’s choice of location, ultimately selecting a commercial space brimming with potential, though somewhat hidden. Once secured, the first step was to strip away the layers added by previous occupants. The belief was that the original materials could help restore the space’s authentic character while also respecting a modest budget. The results exceeded expectations: soaring ceilings, a raw concrete structure, exposed brick walls, and an elegant terrazzo floor.
With the existing elements revealed, our priority shifted to the façades. We replaced the windows to blur the boundary between the street and the interior, inviting light deep into the space and extending the vibrancy of the city into the café. Finally, a defining design gesture gave the space its distinctive character: the creation of a striking concrete bar, a sculptural centerpiece that anchors the entire project.