Etymology: Hebrew, 'vav'
Romance, transl. ENG: 'wow'
'world of wonders', exclamation of surprise
UAU is a palindrome that radiates power;
it indicates the power & passion that the different
disciplines bring together in 1 collective.
At the end of 2014 the 3 architectural firms MASSarchitects (Massimo Pignanelli, Hasselt), DAR architects (Joris Diliën, Houthalen) and SAQ architects (Frederik Vaes, Brussels) decided to unite their complementary creativity and experiences and to work together as one firm. Today this association is a fact. Michel Janssens was attracted to shape the association and will join us as CFO to set the lines of 'UAU'collectiv. The new offices are located at the Blauwe Boulevard in Hasselt. In total 15 architects will be working there.
Complementary competences and experience
The three architectural associations have a long experience in different domains, and join forces in order to be able to respond to clients' demands more quickly and in a customised manner, as well as to be able to cope with larger projects and to raise the general quality to an even higher level.
Massimo Pignanelli is strongly anchored in Hasselt. Various projects by his hand are known in the city centre of Hasselt. Massimo has always focused on wide-ranging design disciplines, where various levels are addressed and internal-external feedback is indispensable. In this way he has already created numerous villas, catering, loft and retail projects and interiors with an iconic serene look, inside and outside Limburg. The intention is to further explore this diversity within the new collective.
Frederik Vaes is an internationally oriented architect, who has proven himself through the Bikini Berlin project that was recently visited with VOLKA, Netwerk Vastgoed department. The last couple of years Frederik has been able to focus on various leisure and retail projects in capital cities such as London, New York and Brussels. His strategic vision and specialised experience provide the new collective with an extra dimension.
Massimo and Frederik are participating in the realisation of the new city hall of Hasselt, where they are part of the design team HASSALINK, which includes architectural firms Jaspers-Eyers and Michel Janssen.
The merger of both these dynamics, combined with Joris Diliën's years of expertise and knowledge, makes the 'UAU'collectiv a new and adept partner in Limburg's architectural world. Joris shaped numerous large-scale residential and retail projects in an urban context in a cooperation with leading partners in terms of project development. One of his most recent projects are the buildings on the outer ring road of Hasselt, where Krëfel is located.
The fourth 'leg' in the association is Michel Janssens, trained in marketing and accountancy. For 15 years he has worked for renowned multinationals in sales positions. In 2010 he focussed on the guidance of liberal professions, on a financial as well as a corporate level. Michel forms the backbone of the new collective and will provide the necessary peace and quiet within the continuous stream of creative processes.
'UAU'-World of Wonders
The name of the new association is 'UAU'collectiv, pronounced as 'WOW'. It has a Romance origin, and is an exclamation of surprise. UAU is a palindrome that radiates power; it indicates the power & passion that the different disciplines bring together in 1 collective.
Expansion and development
“For us the new collective has to become a creative platform and think-tank. We want to make flexible buildings for government, companies as well as private individuals. Commercial projects deserve an upgrade as well. A building has to be strong and radiate power. The collective allows us to work in a solid organisation, where everyone receives recognition, freedom and respect, and can fully develop. The purpose is complementarity: each architect will have the same approach and contact with his clients as before. For them, little will change. But because of the expansion we can work with more corporate discipline, complement and strengthen each other, so that the end result, of any project, be it big or small, will only get better."
Blauwe Boulevard
The new office is located on the Kunstlaan, number 18b3; an inspiring environment. The reception of clients and contacts will happen in an original manner, where everyone will immediately feel 'at home'.
Would you like to get acquainted?
Contact us on the number +32 11 800940 - +32 477 191502
