HADGE is an architecture interior practice founded in 2020 by architect Dieter Vlieghe. In 2015, he graduated as a Master of Architecture at the KULeuven St. Lucas, Ghent and collaborated with other architects, designers before setting up his own practice. The multidisciplinary practice focusing on illustrations and architectural atmospheres exploring the world of furniture and object design. The essence of his work is to find a perfect balance between form and content. He strives for a purified atmosphere to impress the people and bring them a world of imaginary and deeper human spectrum of emotions. The love of tactile, raw materials by artisans, craftsmanship, the search of timeless minimals are central in his work. A serene and pure, yet extremely warm and authentic ambiance.

Currently, HADGE is working on residential and art-related projects. Specific objects that are intimate, yet open and engaged with shades of natural lights and change throughout the day. The power and qualities of the materials – all designs are made by pure craftsmanship and are unique pieces. The materials will have their own patina – reflects the time and the space of the user.

1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

Born in Courtrai – Belgium in 1992, grew up and moved at the age of 18 to Ghent.

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

After visiting the Bruder Klaus Field Chapel by Peter  Zumthor as teenager. 

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

After the studies in Ghent worked for some renomated architecture offices in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Ghent (Belgium) with a valuable experience at Glenn Sestig Architects.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

Acquaintances in the design world challenged me to create new objects and designs, which led to a fascination in the 3D visual world, sketching shapes and their  materializations.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

The creative process involves trial and error. It is an unique journey where the evolution from thought to drawing and form can be transformed into the unique realization of an object,  harnessing the strength of the material.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

With a background in design and work within the architecture world, there is a passion and continuation for creating objects within this space. 

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

A love for natural materials, such as steel,  wood and stone. The natural process of the patinas ensures a unique finish of ever piece.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

The process from 3D design to the final object for technical execution is always a challenging one requiring constant refinement and finishing. It demands a balance of technical experience and craftsmanship.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

Follow what you love to do, keep persevering, and don’t give up,  even though the process often comes with its ups and downs. 

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

Intertwining between brutalism and minimals. 

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

Many, but starting from the Belgium architecture world such as Vervoordt, Vincent Van Duysen, Glenn Sestig to Carlo Scarpa, Eduardo Chillida, Hans van der Laan…

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Also many of them, but appreciation of Rick Owens, Sabine Marcelis

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Also many of them, light Olafur Eliasson, Vicenzo de Cotiis… 

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Refined robustness and calmness.

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Freedom

2. What is your greatest fear?

Dead

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Doubt

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Hardness

5. Which living person do you most admire?

Parents

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

–

7. What is your current state of mind?

Newness

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Socials

9. What is the quality you most like in a man ?

Strength

10. What is the quality you most like in a woman ?

Refinement

11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Yes

12. Which talent would you most like to have?

Self-confidence

13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Decision fatigue

14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Work

15. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A whippet 

16. Where would you most like to live?

A warm country with a  view of the sea, surrounded by nature

17. What is your most treasured possession?

Friends, pets and family

18. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Weakness

19. What is your favorite occupation?

Excitement

20. What is your most marked characteristic?

Go with the flow 

21. What do you most value in your friends?

Fun and sincerity

22. Who are your favorite writers?

–

23. Who is your hero of fiction?

Dobby

24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

None

25. Who are your heroes in real life?

Parents

26. What are your favorite names?

Olaf

27. What is it that you most dislike?

Fear

28. What is your greatest regret?

Wrong decisions

29. How would you like to die?

Peaceful and happy

30. What is your motto?

Go go go!