Namahn

Namahn is a human-centered design consultancy based in Brussels, Belgium. Considered a pioneer in human-centered design in Belgium,[1] Namahn is primarily active in the fields of service design and safety-critical design.

Clients for Namahn's consultancy are mainly:

Premises

The original neoclassical townhouse[3] at the front of the property dates from the 1840s, and was the home to Maison Goemaere, printers and publishers to the Belgian Court, until the early 1990s. After Namahn acquired the building, award winning Belgian architect Wim Cuyvers[4] was in charge of two phases of renovation works that respect the integrity of the original structure while showing architecture's ability for freedom, inspiration and playfulness.[5]

A central hangar[6] with a huge brick stove and 90m2 wooden dance floor functions like a village square, with the other spaces clustered around it. These include a design studio, a small walled garden and a row of half glazed, wood-panelled cubicles that were originally the printers' offices.

Outreach

Starting in 2003, Namahn has hosted a series of lectures by HCI practitioners and researchers on topics relevant to the HCI community. These lectures are intended to be accessible to both specialists and non-specialists. Well-known speakers include:

Houseguests and other users

With so much space in the refurbished building, Namahn is happy to share it! guests include:

A wide range of groups also use the Namahn spaces, on a regular or occasional basis. Among the regular users are a sewing class and an improvisation troupe. Performance artists (dance groups, for example) use the space for rehearsals and presentations, and professional organisations arrange lectures there.

Research and teaching

Namahn is or has been involved in the following research projects:

Namahn staff teach at many higher education institutes in Belgium and elsewhere, including:

Students often visit Namahn to attend seminars or take part in workshops in the design studio.

Publications

History

Namahn was founded in 1987 by Joannes Vandermeulen.[14] Kristel Van Ael[15] became a partner in Namahn in 2008. For five years, Namahn co-owned Integration by Design,[16] a company Mr. Vandermeulen co-founded with Kris Vanstappen. When Mr. Vanstappen went on to found Human Interface Group[17] in 1992 with Christel Dehaes, the company changed its name to Using It, and later to Namahn.

References

  1. ↑ Leijnse, Bruno. "Webschrijven" – Trends, September 14, 1995 retrieved 17 October 2012
  2. ↑ Interfaces, Vol. 74, Spring 2008, pp. 14-16
  3. ↑ Ancienne imprimerie Maison Goemaere Brussels Inventaire du patrimoine architectural (inventory of architectural heritage) retrieved 17 October 2012
  4. ↑ Wim Cuyvers Archilab retrieved 17 October 2012
  5. ↑ Ken Van Synghel. "Aha Architectuur" in De Standaard, Brussels, 1 September 2009
  6. ↑ see Flanders Architectural Yearbook, 2010
  7. ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/erikhollnagel2/
  8. ↑ http://www.ucl.ac.uk/uclic/people/y_rogers
  9. ↑ http://www.decap-gebr-antwerp.com/english%20mainho.htm
  10. ↑ ArtFacts.net. "Dirk Lauwaert".
  11. ↑ "This domain has been registered for a customer by nicsell".
  12. ↑ http://www.usixml.eu/
  13. ↑ http://www.eurekanetwork.org/itea-2/about
  14. ↑ Namahn. "Joannes Vandermeulen – Namahn".
  15. ↑ Namahn. "Kristel Van Ael – Namahn".
  16. ↑ Blancquaert, Lieve (June 21, 1989). "De computer kan het niet verhelpen". Knack: 47.
  17. ↑ "Home".
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