The Five Continents of Antwerp
 

This thesis investigates how shifting cultural attitudes, evolving heritage legislation, and architectural transformations during the mid-20th century shaped the fate of Art Nouveau architecture in Antwerp. Using De Vijf Werelddelen (The Five Continents), and specifically the iconic corner house ’t bootje, as a central case study, the research explores broader dynamics of heritage valuation, loss, and reinterpretation.

Although now a protected monument, the ensemble’s partial demolition in 1964 and later cultural reappropriation reveal how heritage is not static, but actively constructed and contested over time. Through archival analysis, policy review, and contextual architectural study, this work traces the ideological tensions between modernist urban planning and emerging conservation movements. Key figures such as Renaat Braem and pivotal events such as the protection of the Cogels-Osylei (1984) are examined for their role in reshaping perceptions of Art Nouveau.

The thesis argues that Antwerp’s Art Nouveau legacy survived not through continuous appreciation, but through periods of neglect, activism, and reinterpretation. Ultimately, it demonstrates how heritage emerges from the dynamic interplay of cultural narratives, legal frameworks, and the evolving values of society.