Fabriek Botaniek | Going East

Just as grandfather Rafaël and father Jacques were able to blend tobacco into a beautiful blend, Laurence, the granddaughter, wanted to combine entrepreneurship and creative thinking into an inspiring workspace for entrepreneurs. The tobacco activities may have been sold, but the sense of entrepreneurship has remained.Time for a new story. They hired Antwerp based studio Going East to renovate the whole building. A few historic elements stayed but most of it was changed by the studio. The challenge was to give the building a new mission. The starting point of the design was the natural look of the tobacco itself. Laurence, the owner, showed Michiel and Anaïs, the natural product. The colour and the passion they had with this product became the inspiration. With an extra attention for materials that are durable and natural, one of the things Going East is known for. The building was always called "the toebak factory" by the family and local residents. The tobacco is no longer there, but the building is still referred to as "the factory". Botanics is a nod to the past where everything started with the processing of tobacco plants, but also refers to the green environment both outside and under the new conservatory roof in the atrium. Going East transformed the factory in a place with private rooms from 20m2 till 380m2 spaces, an atrium and feel at home meeting spaces and off course a bar. All areas have been converted with a love for the historic character. Laurence and her family are now looking forward to seeing all kinds of activity and entrepreneurship flourish in this beautiful building. Just like the tobacco in the good old days. 

Photography:  Cafeine

Website: https://cafeine.be/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/cafeine/?hl=it

Photography: ZOË KERKHOF