Eyecatcher for Novelle bookstore
Novelle is an independent bookshop on the Overbekeplein in Kortrijk. This charming square attracts more and more traders, but has yet to be discovered by many Kortrijkans and visitors. To enhance the visibility of the shop on the square, manager Liesbeth Van Herzeele subscribed for DESIGN IN SHOPS.
Liesbeth was matched with Atelier Bien Vu, a young designer duo from Lille. For Novelle, they designed a striking neon lighting system that occupies almost the entire void above the entrance. The inspiration for the installation was the adventure that reading is, books offer us the ability to travel without moving. The lighting as playful signage is a real eye-catcher on the facade!
Photo by Kattoo.
In the middle of 2019, Designregio Kortrijk and Stad Kortrijk started the DESIGN IN SHOPS project. This unique project has to stimulate merchants to take a professional designer under the arm to improve the interior/architecture of their shop. The concept of DESIGN IN SHOPS comes from Montreal, a city that, just like Kortrijk, has been recognised by UNESCO as City of Design. In Kortrijk, 40 shops could participate in the project. All available places were quickly filled and in the meantime, the first 12 projects have been realised.
40 Kortrijk businesses and catering establishments participate
With DESIGN IN SHOPS, the City of Kortrijk and Designregio Kortrijk want to give colour to Kortrijk as a city of innovation and design. They want to show that design-oriented or commercial adjustments to shops not only have a positive influence on the shop itself, but also on the entire neighbourhood and even on the city and region. They make the city livelier, more unique and more attractive to both residents and visitors.
In the project, traders are encouraged to renew or rearrange their shop, improve the shop window, improve visibility or make other creative interventions together with a designer. The participating businesses are guided by Designregio Kortrijk and financially supported by the City of Kortrijk and Interreg Flanders-Wallonia-France.
