arno braet

portfolio
complete works

portfolio
General
1. Career
2. Vision
3. Person
Assignments ... - 2009
1. Graduation project: workspace (Ostend, BE)
2. Design: lounge rocking chair
Assignments 2009 - 2012
1. Architecture and technical: split-level house
2. Architecture and technical: five flats (Bruges, BE)
3. Graduation project: eleven flats (London, UK)
Assignments 2012 - ...
1. Architecture: double co-housing unit
2. Architecture: parasite art residence (Ghent, BE)
3. Urbanism: public space (Lige, BE)
4. Urbanism: metropolitan park (Brussels, BE)
5. Urbanism: containing sprawl (Brussels - Wemmel, BE)
Additional activities
1. Poetry
2. Photography
Epilogue

general
1. Career
18th of september 1991
Arno Camiel Braet
Mail: Kasteelstraat 72 - Tielt (8700) - Belgium
Ring: 0474/790580
E-mail: arnobraet@hotmail.com
2003 - 2005
Middenschool II Stene (now Pegasus) - Ostend
Modern science
2005 - 2009
Ensorinstituut Oostende - Ostend
Architecture and interior design
2009 - 2012
HoWest Brugge Campus Simon Stevin - Bruges
Bachelor Applied Architecture (previously Architect Assistant)
Internship: MOPurbandesign led by Philip Moyersoen - Ostend
2012 - 2014
LUCA Department of Architecture - Ghent
Transition program Architecture
2013 - 2016
KUL / LUCA Department of Architecture - Leuven, Ghent, Brussels
Master of Urbanism and Spatial Planning (international)

general
2. Vision
Architecture should make nature more attractive. Architecture is art (Alvaro
Siza). It is up to architects to show people how the future is not how we
think it will be. It is important to act on a small scale. To convince people
by showing results, not by dictating them how to live. An architect does not
work in an ivory tower or in a cave, but in the city he is changing.
He cannot do this though, without a full metal jacket and a strong team.
Urbanism and architecture can not live without eachother. This relationship
must therefore contain a lot of nuances. Urban design is not merely defining
areas by a top-down method, but also and equally important finding a balance
between people.
Further, urbanism is not only the making of city or the opening up of nature.
It is not only humanism. Urbanism is a complicated collection of parameters
like there are ecology, economy and sociology - but also biodiversity and
mobility, futurism and innovation, tradition and historicism. The planning of
the physical world has to do as much with fauna as it has with flora. Humans
are only a fraction in the Earths system.
It is because of this, architects and urbanists should be careful in their designs
for the future. Bearing in mind how we are only freckles on the face of
universe, we must make most of our time here. People tend to forget how
vulnerable and rare life is. The way to remind and motivate those people is
by showing them results, for talk is cheap.

Talk is cheap, my darling

When youre feeling right at home
I wanna make you move with confidence
I wanna be with you alone.
Chet Faker; Talk is cheap; Built on glass; 2014

general
3. Person
I am barely a scientist. I am mostly an artist. Making a bulletproof research
isnt my personal forte. Making an honest one, is.
Every recent design came forth from the vision statement you have already
read. My interest for urbanism is based on a genuine belief it can adapt the
world in a durable and sustainable way, more than architecture possibly.
Besides that, I vouch for a poetic method of design. With knowledge of
local materials and traditional use of space connected to the project site. This
makes path for a slow-down-design. I do not mean to say a design should be
draggy, it must be aerodynamic for sure, but also well thought through.
Im an urban planner, but also a poet, a designer and photographer. Im Arno.

... - 2009
Graduating from highschool in 2009, I obtained a preliminairy degree in
Architecture and Interior Design. In these years I can say the most essential
thing I learned is to have an open mind. To question dogmas instinctivly and
to continuously try to improve design.
We had courses that introduced us to art history, design methods, drawing
styles and different media and techniques. In this way we got a full package
of skills which we all got to use in a different way.
This knowledge led to automatisms in my drawing style which I still use
today. I cant say that I would be an as confident designer without the input
I got in the early days.
It was also this open minded teaching which paved my path to other ambitions.

... - 2009
1. Graduation project: workspace (Ostend, BE)
Main subject of this graduation project was the keyword rhythm. This
rhythm was freely interpreted as the rhythm of a heartbeat. Not slow, when
one is sleeping, nor fast, when one is running. I wanted to catch architecture
that delt with the rhythm of the heart that is irregular, not comforted but
insecure and nervous.
It is this theme that caught my attention and founded my entire design.
The project existed of sketches, paintings, papers and literature, ... But also
contained plans and 3D models.
The architecture project concerned an old laundromat to be converted in a
new office / workspace / or multifunctional housing unit. My proposal for
the site was a workspace for two psychological therapists. The design was
based on Renaat Braems Huis Van den Branden (Ranst, BE).
Inside there are two rooms for individual consultations, divided by acoustic
walls. Upstairs there is one large room for group sessions. This room offers
space for a maximum of ten people.
The concept which defined this design was based on analysis of a historical
building, specifically its morphology. The architecture was reconverted to a
new model and the interior was adapted as such. Along everything the design
is subject to the main theme: the irregularity of rhythm. Most decisions are
made by using the golden section number Phi.

... - 2009
2. Design: lounge rocking chair
Besides the architecture we had to deliver a design for a piece of the interior,
being a chair, a lamp, a bath,... My proposal was a comfortable yet simple
lounge chair. The design of course went through a few stages. It started
from the classic lounge form, long and very horizontal. The design took four
weeks to complete, deliberating with external expertise.
The design was drawn by sketch, then converted into autocad (first as a
flat drawing, and later extruded to a 3D model). In the end it was made
by a 3D-cutter from a foam block. It eventually got padded with the right
materials.
The main structure is made in multilayered and steamed wood, providing a
flexible but strong base. The outside layer is finished by a thin veneer. The
padding of the main cushion is filled up with duck feathers, providing a soft
but firm and natural whole. The fabric can be chosen freely.

2009 - 2012
The years I spent studying at HoWest in Bruges had a very strong impact
on the way I see design, architecture and everything that has to do with
construction.
Whilst drawing smaller and bigger projects I learned that what looks simple
is most of the time the hardest to make. I graduated in 2012 with excellent
knowledge of software as there are: Photoshop, Indesign, AutoCAD, 3DsMax,
Revit, Sketchup, and the basic office package.
My design is since as simple as possible, because unlogical detailing in
construction leads to problems in time. It is not to say that I do not like to
design construction details, I love it. They just need to retain a certain logic.
This was then also put to test when I completed my internship at the end.

2009 - 2012
1. Architecture & technical: split-level house
First years final project asked us to design a split-level house. Program was
to offer room for a single family with two children. The split could be made
wherever, condition is that it must have a logical position.
In the first weeks design starts with sketches and volumetric models. The
design grows steadily with a consultation each week. By midterm the design
is finished. Plans on a scale of 1:100 are accompanied with facades and
sections. The main goal is to design a livable house with a logical sequence
of rooms/areas.
The roof must be flat, the foundations must be constructed by footing. There
must be at least two bedrooms and a spare room. The house must be built
as compact as possible whilst keeping a decent grade of comfortability.
Attention should be paid to materials and technically logic solutions.

2009 - 2012
2. Architecture & technical: five flats (Bruges, BE)
In second year, density of the project is getting higher. We are asked to design
a building for five flats. It must have a slanting roof structure in wood. This
must be made in a 3D-model. The program must offer two single bedroom
appartments and three double bedroom appartments.
The Bruges planninglegislation must be respected. The first part asks for a
complete planning application. The design is based on qualitative spaces and
privacy for every tenant, but also aims to introduce livelihood in the building
by offering common areas to all residents.
There is a large inside park area with waterstructures and trees. It is important
to design an area wich connects all built structures and still offers peaceful
and quiet spaces.
The second part of the assignment asks to produce an as detailed as possible
plan to realize the building. This part contains detailed sections and plans.
Amongst financial estimations and a library of materials.
The design must be drawn in detail to a level where it can be built when one
would see fit. This detailing is then tested for sustainability, craftsmanship
and flexibility in time. The technical solutions are tested on their innovative
power, on the amount of improvement they offer to mainstream detailing
and their contemporality.
This excercise was clearly putting more attention to technicality than towards
the design of the building itself.

2009 - 2012
3. Graduation project: eleven flats (London, UK)
2011. The final year starts. There is one dominant assignment where everything
is brought together. This assignment beholds three steps.
An introductive step: site visit to Londons olympic area, reference high
density housing projects, kickstart to an urban planning design method and
as output a masterplan for the whole site.
A second step: two months are given to create a sustainable design to answer
the question what after the olympics?. The design must contain eleven
housing units: one unit for a disabled person, three single bedroom units,
three double bedroom units, three triple bedroom units and one unit to house
three generations.
The final step: the second and last semester is dedicated to complete all plans
to a detailed level as seen in the previous project. These are more complex
because of the use of non-traditional materials and methods. As such the
facade may not be made out of brick and the structure must be constructed
as a framework of either wood, steel or concrete collums and slabs.
Photorealistic renders must be made of the interior design to show how the
spaces work, and how the views are. Technical details must be shown in
three dimensions to show their complexity.
All this of course in addition to plans of different scales and purposes,
sections and facades, structural isometries, electrical plans, sanitary plans,
ventilation plans, fire escape routes, extensive documentation of materials
and systems,... etc.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT

2012 - ...
After graduating as an architect assistant, I wanted to persue still higher
ambitions. My hunger was brisked up when we had to design the masterplan
of the final project in London.
At the time I didnt know anything about urban planning and I thought by
understanding the bigger picture I had a better chance on making an actual
difference and change.
Hence, I am studying Urbanism and Spatial Planning. First I had to finish a
switching program. This contained mostly architecture courses, both theory
and practice.
The last two years Im mainly designing on a larger scale. Projects tackle
local and supralocal, regional and metropolitan cases and poblems.

2012 - ...
1. Architecture: double co-housing unit
This first architecture assignment doesnt aim to achieve great technical
detail, but challenges us to think again in concepts. The main goal is to
develop a clear and strong idea.
Program of the site offers space to two single family houses. These are very
compact, only holding a surface of 12x12 metres / unit. The houses can only
have 1 storey above the ground floor. The second house is inevitably hidden
behind the first for the street entrance is located on the short side.
The most logical solution came to mind after trying a dozen of other ideas.
And this was one of co-housing. Not seeing the units as seperate, but as one.
In this way there only had to be one entrance and the interior design could
be conceived a lot compacter by designing common areas.

2012 - ...
2. Architecture: parasite art residence (Ghent, BE)
Design an art residence sky box hanging from- or standing on top of the
Belgacom building in Ghent; this was what we got told in second semester.
The design was underheavy to a few parameters, for the load bearing structure
had to be wood. Steel and concrete could only be used for reinforcements
of second order. This is done by creating stuctural models, by testing them
with forces in different directions and researching methods of fixation to the
building.
The residence must offer great views, a sleeping and washing area, a small
meeting room and workspaces. I tried doing so by making a floating plan
with a facade libre. Held up by one gigantic central beam the rest of the
rooms are created by perpendicular scaffolds.
The idea is entirely modernistic and is based on the less is more concept.

2012 - ...
3. Urbanism: public space (Lige, BE)
This indroductory exercise was the first of three group assignments we
had to complete during two years. It tried to reveal problems that were
insurmountable for the sustainable development of the city of Lige.
Split up in different groups we did our research on the case of the medieval
centre of the city. This part was divided in many fragments. The only structures
that were keeping it from total disorder were the river and two main roads
parallel to it. The roaring sixties had a large impact with two buildings: Cit
Administrative (vertically) and the Museum of modern arts (horizontally).
We tried to undo or adapt this scale difference with interventions throughout the
whole area. Like this we were able to make a more permeable neighbourhood
where buildings and streets are not only ground level based, but reach out to
more levels.

Luik 2014

Projet de ville 2022

Duurzaam Luik 2022

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MESO

2012 - ...
4. Urbanism: metropolitan park (Brussels, BE)
In teams of two we finalized this second semester assignment after a thorough
analysis in large groups. We built further on the lacks we found in the capitals
metropolitan and dense tissue. The main problem we wanted to tackle was
the lack of green spaces and open permeable areas.
We therefore designed a metropolitan park in the Molenbeek district. The
perfect site was located at the West-station, where abandoned terrains were
left overgrown.
With our design we wanted to redevellop these terrains. We added five areas
wich were complementary to eachother and fitted in a larger vision for the
area. This vision enabled the soft traffic to travel freely and safely along a
bicycle- and pedestrain corridor with greenery and places to rest.
In detail we designed such a place: an area with five different sorts of
program attached to it. There is for instance a residential area with COneutral housing units (1), a productive landscape with allotment gardens (2),
restaurants and cafs that make use of these gardens for provisions and are
located in a refurbished building (3), a metropolitan forest and an open area
for events (4), and an extension to the new West-station with an elevated
forest, inaccessible to humans (5).
Besides these interventions we also paid great attention to the overall
crossability of the area. By restoring old axes and integrating them into the
design, we enhance and stimulate crossing the area and exploring more of
the city.

2012 - ...
5. Urbanism: containing sprawl (Brussels - Wemmel, BE)
For the final group assignment we worked together with international PhD
students from Belgium, Greece and Ethiopia. This generated the most open
discussions, but also the most difficult ones.
We started from a social housing estate. Each group gets assigned one. Ours
was Modelwijk, designed by the legendary Belgian architect Renaat Braem.
We started interviewing people on the site to base our research. What do
people think of their neighbourhood and how is it different to the pristine
design.
Two concepts are developped, based on how Modelwijk is defined. It is in
one direction part of an archipelagos of islands of different categories. On
the otherhand it is part of an urban arm rupturing from Brussels through the
inexistent administrative border.
In the second half of the semester we started working on the latter. We
wanted to turn this concept in a real strategy to contain the urban sprawl
that is contaminating the agrarian landscape. We started from the idea of an
intesification in the area.
This intensification would have to be hung up on a framework of quick
and easy transportpossibilities. So we introduced a tramway. In specific an
extension of an existing tramway wich makes a loop through the urban arm.
Everything built beyond a certain perimeter will have to be discouraged.
Inside the perimeter emerges an inverted profile of different typologies, with
a central promenade, local shops, markets, squares and patios. Outside there
will again be made space for nature and agriculture.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Poetry
As I said in the beginning, I am not only an urban planner and a designer. I am
also a poet. I try to use my interest for poetry in a way that is complimentary
to my urban planning activities. In that sense I wrote a small poetry book to
go with the last project of the urban arm. But this is not how I started out as
a poet.
It all begun in the early years when I was still in highschool. When my poem
admission got shortlisted in the schools poetry competition, I had an urge to
continue writing. And so I did.
In 2011 my first poetry book, De Poel - zeventien gedichten en interpretaties
got published. As the title says, it had seventeen poems and interpretations
inside. These interpretations where those of nine different artists. The cover
of the book is drawn by the graduating artstudents of the Ensorinstituut. De
Poel is for the moment reaching the last copies of the second edition.
In november of 2014 the successor to the debut was released in an entirely new
format. Kalebas counts thirty poems and is integrally developped by hand.
Each poem is typed seventyfive times. And again the coverart is designed by
different artists and friends. As such, each exemplar of Kalebas is unique.
In februari of 2015 Kalebas got released in a printed format. Besides the
classic book there is a soundscape made by HiDefTM. This soundscape counts
thirty tracks for a total of sixty minutes.
The poem Dromer got shortlisted for the Ensor poetrycompetition 2009
The poem Mmmm got shortlisted for the Ostend poetrycompetition 2011
The poem Beeld #3 got shortlisted for the Poemtata poetrycompetition 2014

ADDITIONAL
1. Photography
Next to this I have the less professional hobby of photographing architecture
and people with a very cinematographic style. As always the conditions for
a good photograph are subjected to the less is more concept. Filters should
make a difference and aftereffects should only be used to refine or emphasize
the framing/composition or the subject/ethos.
Of course I try to use photography to make design more human. As I said,
I am not a scientist. I believe soft media as photographs and poetry can
contribute to a more complex and a more understandable story.
Photographs often show more than their pixels. I make mine with three
analog cameras: Praktica mtl5, Pentax spotmatic and AGFA billy. And one
digital camera: Canon 400d.
Intermezzo, pictures and poems exhibition, Ostend (2010)
Island vs Ghetto, pictures and poems exhibition, Ghent (2015)

EPILOGUE
In this book you find every notable project
I completed in my student years from
2008 to 2015. This means my Master
graduationproject is still missing. I will
complete it in 2016.
I would like to thank my entire family, my
friends and my girlfriend for the enormous
support through these years.
Thanks for the long nights, working in
basements and small appartments. Thanks
for the many afternoons and weekends.
Without those I wouldnt have made it.
Also many thanks to the motivating
lecturers and teachers. Even after I left
school there was still support coming from
you.
This book is a compilation of the work
I did, it is to know for the reader this is
only a small piece of the entire projects I
participated in and was a part of.
I sincerely hope this book showed you
who I am.
I am Arno.

arno braet

mmix
bachelor

- mmxv
- master - artist