PREDIKHEREN MONASTERY

PREDIKHEREN MONASTERY, MECHELEN, BELGIUM

In 2010, the city of Mechelen decided to restore and renovate the historic Predikheren Monastery, which had served military purposes until 1997. The monastery was in a state of severe disrepair, prompting an architectural competition, which was won by Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten. Today, the building stands as an impressive library and a key cultural institution in Mechelen. In recognition of the quality of the restoration, the project was awarded The Flemish Immovable Heritage Award in 2020, along with the Audience Award in an online vote. The lighting concept is a well-executed combination of decorative and functional lighting design.

Indoors, SCAN pendants and SCAN ceiling luminaires are primarily used. With their polished brass finish, they blend harmoniously into the historic ceiling and structural framework while reflecting their surroundings with a warm glow.

Outdoors, the rustic NYMØLLE Wall fixture adds an authentic touch that complements the monastery’s patinated brick façades, reinforcing the building’s robust history.

In the left wing of the building – once a resting place for travelling monks – now resides the Michelin-starred restaurant Tinèlle.
The space unites the raw materiality of the former monastery with contemporary comfort and refined Franco-Belgian cuisine. The historical architecture is respectfully preserved and forms a resonant backdrop for the culinary experience.

Lighting plays a central role in the spatial narrative: a poetic and playful arrangement of the Lyng Pendant, the Trinitatis Pendant, and the Scan Pendant creates an intentionally irregular pattern across the ceiling. This composition introduces a vibrant rhythm and contributes to a lighting atmosphere that both enhances the room’s architectural authenticity and evokes an inviting sense of intimacy.

The adjacent church has been transformed into an auditorium, where an impressive ring chandelier in polished brass, adorned with over fifty SCAN pendants, now illuminates the space, generating a unique and special atmosphere. This lighting approach maintains a respectful balance between the old and the new, seamlessly integrating modern lighting design into the historic framework, supporting Predikheren Monastery’s architectural heritage and cultural significance.

Design of Luminaires:
SCAN Pendant: Okholm Lighting
TRINITATIS Pendant & LYNGLAMPEN: Inger & Johs. Exner
NYMØLLE Wall: Fogh & Følner Architects
Photo: Luuk Kramer