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 café, a collage of Okholm Lighting’s pendants—LYNGLAMPEN, TRINITATIS Pendant, and SCAN Pendant—is suspended, creating an exciting and creative café lighting solution.

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