bouwmeester maître architecte
Government architect, Belgium
The role of bouwmeester maître architecte (government architect) originated in the Netherlands with the Rijksbouwmeester, literally the “master builder of the Kingdom”. The role has existed since the 19th century and responsibilities were limited to projects contracted by the state. In Belgium, the position of bouwmeester was first established in Flanders in 1999. The responsibilities of the Belgian version of the bouwmeesters have become wider-ranging than those of their Dutch counterpart: they are responsible for supporting the government in its role as an exemplary client, and for promoting an architectural culture through competitions, prizes and pilot projects.
In 2000, Antwerp created a Stadsbouwmeester to oversee urban development at a citywide scale. In Brussels, the first bouwmeester didn’t appear until 2009. Charleroi followed in 2013, and Ghent in 2017. In Wallonia, an Architecture Cell within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has been responsible for supporting contractors and promoting architecture since 2003.