*Maneblusser: in Mechelen, the locals are referred to as ‘moon-extinguishers’ - or ‘maneblussers’, following a legend that they tried to put out a fire in the tower in the town square which turned out to be only the reflection of the moon.
*Maneblazer: moon blower - blows life into what doesn’t yet exist, their creativity knows no limits.
In looking for a new function for the historical Schranshoeve complex, situated in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, next to Mechelen, I realised it’s situated at the centre of Belgium’s network of art schools and a 15-minute walk away from the Ursuline Winter Garden - a listed complex known for its Art Nouveau stained glass cupola.
My research told me that, outside schools, there is a big need for affordable atelier spaces where former students can practice their crafts.
And that only 30% of locals were satisified with cultural offering in their commune.
And so Maneblazers was born: rather than putting out fake fires, maneblazers like to blow life into new creations: in the glass-blowing or metal atelier, situated in the rebuilt barn, or in the ceramics or jewellery-making ateliers in the oldest building with the tower.
The old coach house has been transformed into a cafe, reflecting the workshop atmosphere. Not only a social space for the users of the ateliers, but also a space for visitors of the Winter Garden to come and have a coffee after their visit - and have a look at real glass-blowers at work from the viewing platform in the glass atelier.
The green of the original paintwork inside the oldest buildings inspired the use of patinated copper for the roof of the new barn and the use of green metal. Modern materials, to contrast with the old. And the textures refer to tools in the ateliers - the perforated metal to the holes in the welding tables for example.
