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Philippe Samyn
Sir Philippe Samyn (born 1 September 1948) is a Belgian architect, engineer and urbanist. He is the creator of over 686 projects, 250 of which are built. His architecture is characterized by a holistic approach, investigating new ways of construction focused on efficiency between the material, the shape, the function, and the energy needed in the making and functioning of the building.
Morphology and the study of shapes is a central component in his process. His architecture is distinguished by a privileged use of wood in an unusual way, of glass and steel, but also of recovered materials, forming an architecture in which geometry supports the qualities of the material. He defends the concept of the “efficiency” of materials, leaning the rational use of their properties. His process goes against those who produce structures which are expensive, fragile, or excessive use of material structures. His technological and structural research which are in favour of a durable use of materials was acknowledged in 2008 by a Global Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Philippe Samyn grew up between Ghent and Afnee (a small village close to the city) until he was 14 years old. He attended school at Koninklijke Atheneum de la Voskenlaan. He then moved to Brussels with his family where he attended school at the Athénée Ixelles. His father, Edouard Samyn, was a self-taught engineer and inventor, his mother, Isaline Delmotte, was a painter. At a very early age they introduce him to technology, sciences, art, travel and working with material. All of these play a fundamental role in his personal and professional life.
In 1966, he enrols at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) where he obtains a diploma in civil engineering of construction in 1971. During this time, in 1970, he also obtained a certificate in computer programming which shows his early interest for data computerisation and his awareness of the importance of this tool in his career. He also obtained a diploma in urbanistic engineering in 1973. The same year he acquired a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1985, he enrolled in a post-graduate programme in management at Solvay Business School and obtained his architecture diploma from the State jury. He then processed to become a doctor in applied sciences at the University of Liège in 1995.
Along with his builder activity, Philippe Samyn taught at the Superior National School of Visual Arts at La Cambre where he carried out construction classes. He also taught at the Applied Sciences Faculty at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the University of Mons until 2006.
The 30th of June 2020, Philippe Samyn stepped down as the administrator of his agency and transferred his responsibilities to two of his associates: Åsa Decorte and Ghislain André. However, he kept his role of main designer. Released from all managerial responsibilities, he focuses on what really matters to him: discovery, invention, and conception. A new page is turned in career, with the creation of projects stemming from the synthesis of knowledge accumulated and of fresh prospects. Throughout this period, he can create freely.
He kicks-off his career with an internship within Albert De Doncker’s architectural and urbanistic agency (1972-1974). During this time, he also worked part-time as a calculation engineer within the engineering agency Verdeyen & Moenaert.
In 1975, he became Albert De Doncker’s associate, from whom he undertook the entirety of the projects at the end of his career in 1978. A significant project from this era, among others, is la Maison Boulanger in Ohain (1976-1979) which already illustrates the unique character of his constructions.
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Philippe Samyn
Sir Philippe Samyn (born 1 September 1948) is a Belgian architect, engineer and urbanist. He is the creator of over 686 projects, 250 of which are built. His architecture is characterized by a holistic approach, investigating new ways of construction focused on efficiency between the material, the shape, the function, and the energy needed in the making and functioning of the building.
Morphology and the study of shapes is a central component in his process. His architecture is distinguished by a privileged use of wood in an unusual way, of glass and steel, but also of recovered materials, forming an architecture in which geometry supports the qualities of the material. He defends the concept of the “efficiency” of materials, leaning the rational use of their properties. His process goes against those who produce structures which are expensive, fragile, or excessive use of material structures. His technological and structural research which are in favour of a durable use of materials was acknowledged in 2008 by a Global Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Philippe Samyn grew up between Ghent and Afnee (a small village close to the city) until he was 14 years old. He attended school at Koninklijke Atheneum de la Voskenlaan. He then moved to Brussels with his family where he attended school at the Athénée Ixelles. His father, Edouard Samyn, was a self-taught engineer and inventor, his mother, Isaline Delmotte, was a painter. At a very early age they introduce him to technology, sciences, art, travel and working with material. All of these play a fundamental role in his personal and professional life.
In 1966, he enrols at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) where he obtains a diploma in civil engineering of construction in 1971. During this time, in 1970, he also obtained a certificate in computer programming which shows his early interest for data computerisation and his awareness of the importance of this tool in his career. He also obtained a diploma in urbanistic engineering in 1973. The same year he acquired a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1985, he enrolled in a post-graduate programme in management at Solvay Business School and obtained his architecture diploma from the State jury. He then processed to become a doctor in applied sciences at the University of Liège in 1995.
Along with his builder activity, Philippe Samyn taught at the Superior National School of Visual Arts at La Cambre where he carried out construction classes. He also taught at the Applied Sciences Faculty at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the University of Mons until 2006.
The 30th of June 2020, Philippe Samyn stepped down as the administrator of his agency and transferred his responsibilities to two of his associates: Åsa Decorte and Ghislain André. However, he kept his role of main designer. Released from all managerial responsibilities, he focuses on what really matters to him: discovery, invention, and conception. A new page is turned in career, with the creation of projects stemming from the synthesis of knowledge accumulated and of fresh prospects. Throughout this period, he can create freely.
He kicks-off his career with an internship within Albert De Doncker’s architectural and urbanistic agency (1972-1974). During this time, he also worked part-time as a calculation engineer within the engineering agency Verdeyen & Moenaert.
In 1975, he became Albert De Doncker’s associate, from whom he undertook the entirety of the projects at the end of his career in 1978. A significant project from this era, among others, is la Maison Boulanger in Ohain (1976-1979) which already illustrates the unique character of his constructions.