Antwerp · Est. 1950
The Studio
Who we are
A studio of nine, on the Antwerp docks
OBRA is an interior studio in Antwerp, founded in 1950 and led today by nine designers and makers. We work from a former print works on the docks — the drawing board one floor above the workshop.
We take on just eight projects a year, so a founder stays close to every one. We draw it, build much of it by hand, and stay until the last handle is fitted.
The work spans homes, hospitality and workspaces. What ties it together is conviction: rooms that are considered in every detail and made to be lived in, not just looked at.
How we work
Draw
Every project begins on paper, one floor above the workshop. We resolve the plan, the light and the joinery before anything is ordered.
Make
Much of what we design is built by hand in-house or with workshops we have worked with for a decade. We choose materials that age well.
Stay
A founder leads each project from the first site visit to the final handover — present until the last handle is fitted.
The team
Margot Vael
Founder · Principal
Joren De Smet
Architect
Lieve Maes
Interior designer
Bram Coppens
Lead maker
Sofie Janssens
Project architect
Tomas Peeters
Joinery & detailing
Anouk Willems
Materials & sourcing
Daan Verbeke
Site supervision
Since 1950
Founded as a furniture workshop in central Antwerp, making pieces to order.
Expands into full interiors, taking on its first restaurant and retail commissions.
A second generation takes the helm, keeping the founder-led, hands-on model.
Moves to a former print works on the Kattendijkdok — drawing board above, workshop below.
Nine designers and makers, eight projects a year, across homes, hospitality and workspaces.
What we hold to
Made by hand
We build what we can ourselves, so the detail we draw is the detail you get.
Stay until the end
A founder is present from first sketch to final fitting — never handed off.
Built to age
Materials and methods chosen to look better in twenty years, not worse.
Few, done well
Eight projects a year. Enough to stay close to every decision.
Recognition
Restaurant & Bar Design Award
Bar Otello — Shortlist
Belgian Interior Icon
Maison Drouet — Winner
Dezeen Awards
Interior of the Year — Longlist
FRAME Awards
Emerging Studio — Finalist
Work with us