The Muzeum Smidt Van Gelder on Belgiëlei in Antwerp is more than just brick and ornamentation. Built in 1905 as a stately private residence in the grandeur of the Belle Époque, it later became the museum of collector Pieter Smidt van Gelder, where living, displaying, and experiencing converged. Today, this heritage is once again at a turning point: how do you combine monumental architecture with contemporary comfort without destroying its character?
MonaVisa’s answer lay in integrating, not hiding. Early in the renovation, acoustic stretch walls and ceilings were incorporated as a design element. Printed panels nestled within the dark brown boiserie complement the rhythm of the wood; soft prints featuring the Antwerp skyline and still lifes convey understated luxury and tranquility .
Above the desks, evenly lit stretch ceilings provide clarity: previously lingering sounds are absorbed, conversations sound warmer, and the building feels more livable. MonaVisa thus adds acoustic comfort without compromising the heritage – they amplify what’s already there, follow the lines, and refine the grandeur of the Muzeum Smidt Van Gelder, where history remains tangible and silence returns.
Each realisation is a dialogue between architecture and acoustics, where technology becomes invisible and experience becomes tangible.
Every space is unique. We’re happy to help you find the right acoustic and aesthetic solution for your interior.
