Architectural practice for bOb Van Reeth began in 1965 with commissions in Mechelen and Kalmthout. His professional trajectory, spanning six decades, saw him transition from individual design work to holding the inaugural position of Flemish Government Architect, an influential role he maintained from 1998 through 2005. His work remains a staple of Belgian urban landscapes.
Early Career and The Krokus Group
Upon starting his career in 1965, Van Reeth focused on projects located in Kalmthout and Mechelen. In 1972, he accepted a teaching position at the Nationaal Hoger Instituut voor Bouwkunst in Antwerp. That same year, he co-founded the group Krokus alongside Marcel Smets and Jean-Paul Laenen. This collective dedicated its efforts to the restoration of the historic center of Mechelen.
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Van Reeth eventually directed the firm AWG Architecten. His portfolio includes the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwecollege building in Antwerp, completed in the 1980s. Notable later works include the black-and-white Huis Van Roosmalen situated along the Scheldt, the nearby Zuiderterras cafe, and a 2007 wing for the Westvleteren Abbey. Additionally, the firm secured the competition for a Holocaust memorial and documentation center in Mechelen.
Government Tenure and Academic Membership
In January 1998, he was appointed as the first Flemish Government Architect. He served in this capacity for seven years until Marcel Smets assumed the role on 1 June 2005. Beyond his built works and government service, he held an academic role at the Delft University of Technology. He was also a member of the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Temse, Belgium
- Died: 30 September 2025, Bruges
- First Flemish Government Architect: 1998–2005
- Education/Teaching: Nationaal Hoger Instituut voor Bouwkunst
- Employment: Delft University of Technology
- Signature Style: bOb Van Reeth
- Key Firm: AWG (Architect Work Group) Architecten
Questions readers ask
What was the Krokus group?
Krokus was a collaborative architectural group founded in 1972 by Van Reeth, Marcel Smets, and Jean-Paul Laenen, primarily concerned with restoring central Mechelen.
When did he serve as the Flemish Government Architect?
He held the position from January 1998 until 1 June 2005, when he was succeeded by Marcel Smets.
