I am An Michiels, architect on a detour
I connect and curate
+
I write with a focus on design, interiors and architecture
I connect and curate
+
I write with a focus on design, interiors and architecture
Hello, I am An Michiels, architect on a detour.
After graduating as an architect at Sint-Lucas in Brussels, I packed my bags for London. For about 10 years, I worked as a project architect in design-oriented offices on residential schemes.
In 2008, I took the first detour from architecture and completed a master’s degree Curating Contemporary Design at the University of Westminster in partnership with the London Design Museum. It turned my interest to supporting and nurturing, rather than practising architecture myself.
Under the name JJAM curators collective, Julia Jarvis and I challenged 40 London-based designers re-imagine the classic yellow duster for our ‘Everyday Delights’ show at Tent 2010 in the Truman Brewery.
End 2011, I returned to my home country Belgium after 14 fantastic years in the UK and got the opportunity to join the team behind the Biennale Interieur in the city of Kortrijk. Not your ordinary design fair, but a unique ‘salon’ with room for business, culture and conviviality. I took part in the project management and communication for the 2012, 2014 and 2016 editions.
In 2015, I co-founded dotsandplanes with partner-in-crime Joost Vanhecke. Our curated inspiration tours took architects and design professionals to hidden gems in Belgium and international destinations such as Copenhagen, Zürich, Basel, Tallinn and Graz.
From 2019 to 2024, I spent five amazing years working for PSLab - the Beirut-based lighting specialists - at their beautiful hub in Antwerp. As a one of the ‘communicators’, I got the chance to work with top interior designers & architects, to introduce them to PSLab’s philosophy and to develop personalised lighting projects.
Throughout the years, I have continuously been writing books, editorial and copy in Dutch and English within the field of design, interiors and architecture. You can read a selection of my work on this site. I am currently writing and curating independently. If you are interested in my work or want to share ideas, drop me a line and we chat.
Upcoming design show ‘Architect on a detour’ on Dec 14th at PSLab Antwerp.