Wonen in Welvaart (1948-1973)

Living in Prosperity. Housing and Home Culture in Flanders, 1948-1973 The Flemish Architecture Institute and the Centre for Flemish Architectural Archives are mounting their first thematic exhibition at deSingel, entitled. A new era emerged in Flanders, bringing with it Expo 58, the Atomium, the first cars and television, paid holidays on the coast and in the Ardennes, motorways and domestic appliances. As from the fifties, the average Flemish family preferred to live on a residential estate in green surroundings, with a modern kitchen and garage. Flanders acquired its proverbial 'brick in the stomach' (the urge to build). With grants from the government, advice from the Boerinnenbond (Union of Farmer's Wives) and the 'Rijk der Vrouw' magazine, the Flemish took to building with a vengeance. 'Living in Prosperity' focuses on postwar housing and also shows a number of housing models that offer an alternative view of 'the good life': from collective model neighbourhoods and high-rise, through satellite towns to forgotten social utopia projects. Archive documents - photos, newspapers, plans, interiors and film excerpts - none of which have been shown before, present a lively view of a piece of recent history.