Galerie Augusta: Championing Sustainable and Circular Design in Brussels

What if sustainable design could be just as desirable as it is environmentally responsible?

In the heart of Brussels' Sablon district, Galerie Augusta is redefining Belgian contemporary design through creativity, craftsmanship and circularity. Founded by sisters Ariane and Lara van Dievoet, the gallery showcases a carefully curated selection of furniture, textiles and design objects made from recycled, bio-based and locally sourced materials.

Bringing together emerging talents and established Belgian designers, Galerie Augusta proves that sustainability and high-end design can go hand in hand. Through exhibitions in Brussels and beyond, the gallery is helping put Belgian circular design on the international map.

La Galerie Augusta, Rue Coppens à Bruxelles © Oksana Tkachuk

Belgian Creativity Meets Circular Innovation

Brussels, on a sunny April afternoon. Just a few steps from the Church of Sablon, on the charming, cobbled and shaded Rue Coppens, stands a white house with green window frames. A sign above the door of number 5 and lettering on the window reveal the name of the place: Augusta.

"It's my great-grandmother's first name. She was a gallery owner in the 1930s," explains Ariane van Dievoet, interior architect and designer.

"For almost 40 years, this space, which belonged to my family, was rented to a gallery owner. When he closed his business, I had the opportunity to renovate it. Initially, I thought I would organise an exhibition before renting the space out again. But as my sister Lara and I developed the project, we became increasingly enthusiastic about the project."

Three years ago, the van Dievoet sisters breathed new life into the gallery, which now specialises in sustainable design. While Ariane oversees curation, programming and exhibition installation, Lara manages communications.

The 35-square-metre space, spread across two floors, welcomes design pieces made from recycled materials, most of which are natural, bio-based or sourced directly from the earth.

Les fondatrices de la Galerie Augusta, Lara et Ariane van Dievoet ©Lindsay Zebier

"What makes this gallery unique is its commitment to showcasing designers working within the circular economy," Ariane continues. "Each of their creations embodies an innovative solution. Their strength lies in combining sustainability, functionality and high-end design."

Take, for example, the Glow lamp by Cru atelier, made from a mixture of lime and hemp. Or the same design duo's Tellura console shelf, crafted from cork, earth, gypsum (a type of plaster) and beechwood sourced from the Sonian Forest. All biodegradable and locally sourced materials!

There are also decorative wall compositions and curtains made from surplus fabric by textile designers La Gadoue, as well as a collection of mirrors created by Ariane van Dievoet, featuring structures made from reclaimed wood, stone and marble.

And while the gallery champions emerging talent, it also showcases established designers such as Lionel Jadot and Frédérique Hoet.

Complementary Creative Worlds

"When I founded AVANDI, my furniture and object design studio, in Brooklyn in 2014, I became interested in ethical design and circularity," explains Ariane.

"When I returned to Belgium in 2018, I didn’t want to produce using new materials. I couldn't see the point of adding more to what already existed. Especially since, through my interior architecture projects, I had realised just how effectively reclaimed construction materials, such as stone, wood offcuts, fabric remnants and other discarded resources, could be reused."

This approach, centred on recovering and giving new value to existing materials, is one Ariane shares with all the designers exhibited at Galerie Augusta.

"Our values are aligned," explain architects Sarah El Yousefy and Nina Ouchinsky, the founders of Cru atelier. "A gallery dedicated specifically to circular design is incredibly rare! Exhibiting here gives legitimacy to our approach."

Sarah El Yousefy et Nina Ouchinsky, à la tête de Cru atelier © Jules Toulet

For Eloïse Maës and Audrey Werthle, the designers behind La Gadoue, the collaboration felt equally natural: "Our objects speak to one another, and our creative worlds complement each other."

Pieces, materials, colours and shapes come together harmoniously, much like they would in a thoughtfully designed interior. This gives the gallery a distinctive character and a deeper sense of purpose.

"Many people asked me why I didn't simply turn the space into my own showroom. But that idea didn't appeal to me. It was only when I considered opening it up to other designers that I became interested. Working collectively brings strength, energy and impact. I love meeting fellow designers, bringing people together, creating connections and raising awareness of projects I believe in."

Eloïse Maës et Audrey Werthle, créatrices de La Gadoue © Joan Repiso

Varying the exhibition formats, whether group shows, duos or solo presentations, ensures a constant sense of renewal. The space transforms almost organically with each new installation.

Since opening, Galerie Augusta has participated in three editions of the Collectible design fair, staged around ten exhibitions within its own walls, and organised additional presentations at The Dominican hotel and Puilaetco bank.

These initiatives help maximise the visibility of the approximately 15 designers represented by the gallery, introducing their work to new audiences.

Timeless Pieces to Fall in Love With

"Our ambition is to showcase, and above all, sell the work of the designers we represent," Ariane emphasises.

A workshop, tools, machinery, materials, countless hours of research... all of this comes at a cost. And what better way to support sustainable design than by investing in it?

The objects and furniture available at Galerie Augusta range in price from €180 to €10,000.

Console « Tellura » et lampe « Glow » de Cru atelier © Oksana Tkachuk

"These are pieces you fall in love with, and that prove sustainable in every sense of the word," the gallery owner explains.

These are not prototypes, but carefully finished, one-of-a-kind pieces that can also be produced on a larger scale or made to measure upon request.

With minimal processing and a strong emphasis on natural materials and colours, they are designed to stand the test of time, both in terms of durability and changing trends.

Within Augusta's intimate setting, the individuality and beauty of each creation seem to shine even more brightly.

This is a valuable advantage for designers who do not have their own showroom and may not necessarily wish to engage directly with potential buyers.

"Communicating our approach, showcasing our work, attracting visitors and securing sales all require a considerable amount of effort," explain the founders of Cru atelier.

The designers behind La Gadoue agree: "Ariane has the unusual advantage of being both a gallery owner and a designer. Through her own practice, she understands our needs perfectly."

Echo – miroir sur une structure en bois et marbre par Ariane van Dievoet © Oksana Tkachuk

Above all, she understands the realities of the profession, recognises its challenges and keeps pace with evolving design practices.

"Because I'm used to working with designers on bespoke projects, I know the full extent of their expertise, what they're currently developing, and their production timelines."

This dual perspective is a significant asset. One that Ariane hopes will help expand Augusta's clientele to include a wider network of architects, interior designers and other professionals in the interiors sector.

Ultimately, her ambition is to raise the profile of Belgian sustainable design, both at home and internationally.

Originally written in french by Allison Lefevre for W+B 172