Something Completely Different: Architecture in Belgium

Something Completely Different is a sharp and surprising exploration of contemporary architecture through the lens of Belgium, a country often overlooked yet filled with fascinating contradictions. In seven thoughtful essays, Christophe Van Gerrewey examines how architecture responds to shifting politics, social divides, infrastructure, and environmental pressure, asking fundamental questions about what architecture is and what it can become.

Rather than offering a traditional survey or visual showcase, the book reads like a cultural essay—deep, witty, and philosophical. Van Gerrewey reflects on how Belgium’s patchwork of urban planning and historical identity provides an ideal case study for understanding broader architectural themes across Europe and beyond.

With clean visuals and clear prose, Something Completely Different challenges the idea of what architectural writing can do. It is not just about buildings or styles, but about how we live in and think about space. For architects, planners, and curious readers alike, this is a refreshing and intelligent meditation on the built world.