Aarschot and architecture. 'House Dreamland', the architect's residence Jozef Meeus

(Elizabethlaan 81)

In 1942, during the height of the war, architect Jozef Meeus built his home at the corner of Elizabethlaan and Rumold Wetzstraat. He chose sleek forms and characteristics of the Nieuwe Zakelijkheid (New Objectivity) here. This Nieuwe Zakelijkheid can be defined as an architectural style that reflects the desire to abandon excessive romanticism and ornamentation, and to move away from the decorative treatment of the building's envelope. The characteristics are not so easily described. As the above definition states, it was more about a "will to," a "striving for." This striving could express itself in various forms. Nevertheless, all these forms share one common aspect, namely the search for austerity and a more functional concept. This often resulted in houses with strongly simplified volumes, large uniform wall surfaces, and wide square or rectangular windows, with or without horizontal framing. The materials used are usually visible, and complex brick patterns are not present.

This house stands out on the side of Elizabethlaan due to its simplicity. In the left bay, we see a collection of ordered rectangles: the larger ones of the doors and windows and a series of small concrete window sills. The openings for light are quite small, and the effect should rather be viewed from the inside: a collection of bright light points in a diffusely lit hall. The right side at the top features a large wall surface. Presumably, the garage door was completely absent. The plans would show that the upper floor was built on a kind of open gallery. Only later would this be closed off to Rumoldus Wetzstraat. This side, by the way, is notable for the slanting protruding continuous window sections with windows looking out onto Elizabethlaan.

Meeus makes full use of the entire plot. The front yard is almost a patch of shame. But during the time the house was built, he had no need for a garden. Living space was important. In the war years, Elizabethlaan was still a green boulevard.

Who was Jozef Meeus?

Jozef Meeus was born on January 4, 1908, in Aarschot. He graduated in 1930 with great distinction from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts as an architect. He was a skilled draftsman who received several awards for his drawing skills. He was very active as an architect before World War II and built in a style closely related to the Nieuwe Zakelijkheid and De Stijl.

He was involved in local history and co-founded the Committee for the Promotion of Tourism in Aarschot in 1935.

He was very concerned with the future development of Aarschot. Before the war, he had already published a series of articles in De Klok (from January 14 to March 11, 1939) on the expansion possibilities of Aarschot. From 1940, the Commissariat for Reconstruction issued numerous regulations to regulate housing construction in Aarschot and to create urbanization plans. In implementation of those regulations, a Urban Planning Service was established in Aarschot on February 1, 1941, with Jozef Meeus as city planner. The Aarschot citizens, who were not used to strict building guidelines, were unhappy with the provisions now imposed. The urbanization regulations were adopted after the war, with some changes, by the Royal Decree of December 2, 1946. However, in execution of this decision, architect De Groodt was appointed as town planner, because Jozef Meeus had been accused as a collaborator. Disillusioned, he left Aarschot. He was later acquitted of all suspicion.

In 1962, he would become a member of the newly founded Aarschot Circle for Local History. He became vice president, drew and published. He passed away at the age of 68.

On October 24, 1971, he was posthumously awarded the Jozef Terweduwe Prize.

Jan Rymenams