Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In person

Text Sheridan Becker

Jacques Wirtz

Jacques Wirtz is one of the most gifted and significant landscape designers in the world today. With a career spanning more than 50 years, his clients include Catherine Deneuve, Valentino, the Belgian royal family and the Duchess of Northumberland. The Antwerp architect’s most recent achievement is the eco-friendly urban design project in the European Quarter of Brussels; he talks to b.there! about this and his favourite places in his home country

When I was a boy, my parents took my brothers, sisters and me to the Schelde River and Antwerp harbour every Sunday.

It’s a memory that I seem to cherish deeply, and I feel that the inspirational skyline, open fields and overall view of the harbour influenced my work as a designer. I can easily recall the endless rows of poplars and willows. I also remember going to sleep every night while listening to my father playing the piano.

I strongly believe governments should create public gardens for communities.

I like to call them ‘green zone parks’. In Brussels, for example, the European Commission and regional and local authorities in Brussels selected our designs because they restored the human character of a neighbourhood. To improve the architectural image of the new European Quarter there will be low building structures designed by Christian de Portzamparc, while we’ll incorporate our organic ‘green zone parks’ to flow in contrast with the strongly organised businesses that lie inside the EU buildings. This is an ambitious project with several advantages, and I’m keen to see the results.

I wake up at 6am and I’m at my desk for work by 6.30am.

At noon I take a siesta, then head back to work again until the late hours. I design and draw all the time, I don’t have any ‘time off’. Yet I always play music in my drawing office. I can’t get enough of drawing – I love drawing – but I also find music inspirational.

My golden rule in landscape design is to avoid overkill.

I like to keep peace and tranquillity in my designs, yet also dare to experiment and deliver strong projects that tell a story. My favourite type of garden design involves pushing to the edge of acceptance while trying to find a challenging balance. I’m always looking for a certain risk.

My sons, Peter and Martin, have worked for the company that I created for more than 20 years.

We have a very healthy working relationship between father and sons. We have an ideal synergy where we inspire each other. I have a good feeling for the future of the company.

Jacques’ Belgium

The designer shares his favourite hangouts

Cafés
Den Engel (2 Grote Markt, tel. ) in Antwerp. I like this café because of the lively and animated discussions that people tend to have here. I also like the cafés around La Monnaie in Brussels because they are like Paris or Vienna coffee houses, where one can sit and relax for a while and read the newspaper.

Restaurants
I enjoy Minerva (36 Karel Oomsstraat, tel. ) in Antwerp, because it serves classical and decent food without ever being unadventurous.

Hotel
Antwerp’s Hotel de Witte Lelie (16-18 Keizerstraat, tel. , dewittelelie.be, rooms from €195) is a beautiful mansion with a family-like atmosphere. It’s also a very classy and stylish place, but at the same time peaceful and serene.

Must-visit areas
I recommend visiting the port and roadstead of Antwerp along the river Schelde for their great historical value. They’re where the city expanded out from, in an organic way. The roadstead used to be quite stunning and was once the beating heart of Antwerp – this is where the dockers used to go to seek work every morning. The area simply breathes history. Just after World War II many people left Europe to seek happiness in the US, and this is the place where they boarded the ‘American boats’ and set sail.

Both of these areas have their own special magic, but it’s probably best to visit with a guided tour operator to help you find the right inspirational landmarks.

Hidden treasures
Antwerp Cathedral (Handschoenmarkt) is a special place in the city. It’s located below ground level, and is a nice example of a gothic cathedral. It also determines the Antwerp skyline.

In Brussels, I enjoy the ever-changing exhibitions at the Bozar (23 Rue Ravenstein).

I like the fact that it focuses on both European and worldwide exhibitions. Another place to visit while in Brussels is the Forêt de Soignes, located in the southeast of the city. You’re in a metropolis, but in less than 10 minutes you can sink deep into the woods and be surrounded by nature. It’s impressive for a city to offer this kind of experience.

Leave a Reply