Out of Office

In order to challenge the non-inclusive aspects of Belgian architectural culture, the article explores inspiring practices. It gathers insights from two pairs of individuals: Ivan and Valentine from the non-profit organization Convivence-Samenleven, and Bernardo and Marianita from the collective Mama (Maintenance Matters). Each of them has consciously chosen to depart from traditional architectural offices and their usual working conditions to directly engage with local communities. Their narratives extend an invitation to reconsider our work frameworks, time commitments, relationships with users, and redefine project evaluation criteria. On a broader scale, they encourage us to reflect on the social significance of an architect's work.