VALENTINA CARRARA

Architects

Where old and new meet

Harmony in Architecture: when life aligns with being an Architect

Each phase of my architectural career has mirrored my personal life journey. From transforming empty spaces at Tour & Taxis in my youth, to developing BruxUp during early parenthood, to now specializing in family home renovations - my work has naturally evolved with my life experiences.

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Last week, I had the pleasure of being featured on Women in Architecture‘s Instagram account. You can find all 6 posts on my Instagram page or on Women in Architecture Belgium’s Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/womeninarchitecturebelgium/

It was very exciting to be able to share my professional journey of the past 15 years with my network. While organizing these 6 posts, I discovered a common thread in my work: each phase of my work corresponded to a phase of life.

First, there was the “Tour & Taxis” phase, which unfolded during my professional youth. I associate this period with intense work, made possible by not having children. A “life without children” means “life with lots of time and space to fill.” Just like the spaces at Tour & Taxis that I knew when they were empty. I was fortunate to witness these spaces at a time in their life when they could have accommodated any program. There was enormous development potential, and I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process of transforming these incredible spaces and giving them new life.

Then came the development phase of my BruxUp project, which was born during numerous walks with the stroller. This project became my third baby. It grows slowly and with difficulty because it is complex, delicate, and the journey is full of obstacles. But I never give up, and the few projects I’ve been able to develop through my BruxUp concept have been very satisfying small projects, if not from an architectural standpoint strictly speaking, at least in terms of human connection.

And then, for about ten years now, I’ve been working on high-energy-performance renovations of single-family homes. Regardless of the house style (I work with houses from any period between 1900 and 1970), I passionately help families establish a solid foundation consisting of a healthy, energy-efficient, and well-decorated home for developing life with children. I am currently in this phase myself, so I think I better understand my clients’ needs.

I don’t know what the next phase of my life will be, both personally and professionally, but I welcome the future with open arms, confident that I will be able to combine private and professional life with as much harmony as has been the case until now.

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