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Honorary doctorate for Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem
We are delighted to share the news that Ghent University will award a faculty honorary doctorate to Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem, the founders of the studio.
Initiated by the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Ghent University, the key factor for granting them this degree is how ‘the studio is to this day a national and international benchmark on contemporary architecture’ - according to the board members of the faculty. ‘The oeuvre of Robbrecht en Daem has always been an important point of reference for both the past and present staff. Their work and architectural language is idiosyncratic but also always context-sensitive, a characteristic that enjoys special recognition in architectural circles. (…) Their realized projects deal sensitively and innovatively with the work of international masters such as Horta, Van de Velde, Breuer and Mies van der Rohe. Because of this and their remarkable interventions in public space and the city, their oeuvre has always invited reflection and criticism.’
Both Paul Robbrecht en Hilde Daem are very touched by this recognition and honoured to join the special circle of recipients who preceded them. They join this academic circle as a duo. Paul and Hilde would like to thank all of the current and former collaborators of the studio who have made Robbrecht en Daem architecten the proud architectural practice it is today. A special thank you goes to Johannes Robbrecht, who joined the studio in 2002 and became partner in 2012. The conferment of the honorary degree will take place on March 18, 2022.