Architectural Finishes researcher at VuB

Liesbeth Dekeyser, through her PhD research, has contributed significantly to the recognition, characterization, conservation, and restoration of cimorné render, a distinctive Belgian rendering technique from the interwar period known for its craftsmanship.

Construction history

The field of construction history is experiencing rapid growth globally, with an increasing number of master's students, PhD researchers, and invited scholars engaging in this discipline at VUB.

Prof Dr. Ann Verdonck and her team

Within the expansive field of construction history, Professor Dr. Ann Verdonck and her team of PhD and master's students concentrate their efforts on architectural finishes.

Together, these research endeavors contribute to a deeper understanding of architectural finishes, preservation techniques, and restoration methodologies, enriching the field of construction history with valuable insights into Belgium's architectural heritage.

Verdonck, following her doctoral research on the use of color in the architectural designs of Huib Hoste, has specialized further in investigating 20th-century finishes within the Belgian context.

As a heritage researcher, Verdonck co-founded Fenikx bv in 2008 alongside Marjolein Deceuninck, with a focus on architectural finishing research (website: www.fenikx.be).

Architectural Finishes researcher at VuB

Yves Govaerts' PhD project aims to develop a restoration methodology, including guidelines, for stone imitating renders. This endeavor involves a multidisciplinary research approach to ensure comprehensive restoration strategies.

Architectural Finishes researcher at VuB

Additionally, Eline Stoop's recent PhD research, titled "Paint on rolls?," sheds light on wallpaper, the predominant wallcovering material of the interwar period. Stoop's work foregrounds the significance of wallpaper in interior finishes during this era.