Exhibition: Paradise Lost?

“Paradise Lost?” takes visitors back to the 19th century, a period of groundbreaking discoveries, exotic plants and visionary architecture. It was a time when glass and iron came together to form a new world: a modern Garden of Eden. The exhibition pays tribute to Alphonse Balat, the master of glass and iron and the inspiration behind Victor Horta. His greenhouses and pavilions were both aesthetic and technical masterpieces. The Balatkas (Crown Conservatory) in Meise Botanic Garden was his first major project, followed by iconic structures such as the Royal Conservatories of Laeken.

The exhibition poses a topical question: Have we lost our connection with nature, or are we rediscovering it in our contemporary ways of building, living and inhabiting?

Spanning a period of 200 years — almost as long as Belgium has existed — the exhibition showcases Balat’s impact on both architecture and our view of nature.

Why visit this exhibition?

• Historical icons: Discover the Balatkas, the architect’s first masterpiece, in the heart of Meise Botanic Garden.
• Unique archival material: The chronologically organised exhibition features digitised architectural plans from the Royal Archives and rare items from international archives. The history of greenhouse construction in Europe and Belgium forms the central theme, with the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken as the highlight.
• Artistic dialogue: The exhibition features a collaboration with François Schuiten, the family of artist Piet Bekaert and artist-curator Hans Soenen. Their work offers a contemporary reflection on Balat’s legacy.

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‘Paradise Lost’?, the exhibition in three parts

Part 1: The Glass Revolution

This part highlights the emergence of Belgian exoticism from 1825 onwards. Through 32 monumental walls, visitors journey through the history of greenhouse construction: from the first experiments with glass and iron and the introduction of exotic plants to international icons such as the Crystal Palace and the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken.

Part 2: Ode to the Winter Garden: Inspired by Balat

Artists pay a visually striking tribute to Balat’s architecture. On three-metre-high prints of their artworks, they demonstrate how the light, rhythm and elegance in his work continue to inspire them.

Part 3: Building the Future

The focus shifts from the present to the future. Leading architect studio's present their vision of the relationship between people, nature, technology and architecture. The central question: Has paradise been lost, or are we building new biotopes in which living and nature once again take centre stage?

In collaboration with the architect studio's listed below, this section explores the renewed social interest in conservatories, windows and light as connecting elements between living, nature and architecture:

• a2o
• AAVO architecten
• archipelago
• atelier Arne Deruyter
• B architecten
• Bas Smets
• Beel architecten
• Binst architecten
• NU architectuuratelier
• Omgeving
• POLO
• Robbrecht en Daem architecten

Part 4: The Balatkas in the spotlight

The exhibition pays tribute to the architect Alphonse Balat at various locations, featuring unique images and stories about his work. But nowhere does his genius come to life quite so tangibly as in the Balatkas itself; after all, it is one of his finest creations. So be sure to take the time to admire the conservatory itself.

Step inside the iconic Balatkas — the centrepiece of the Cronquist Garden — and discover a special tribute to this architectural gem of glass and steel.

Especially for ‘Paradise Lost’, artists François Schuiten and Hans Soenen have each created an exclusive drawing of the Balat Greenhouse. These stunning drawings have never before been shown to the public and are the absolute highlights of the Balat Greenhouse. A clear timeline also allows you to unravel the compelling history of this historic greenhouse at a glance.

Behind the scenes

The exhibition was preceded by almost two years of preparation. The multidisciplinary team consisted of:

• Koen Es, Director of Public Engagement at Meise Botanical Garden
• Donatienne de Séjournet, art historian and journalist specialising in 19th-century gardens and heritage, and in particular
  the work of A. Balat
• Denis Diagre, historian and archivist at Meise Botanical Garden
• Hans Soenen, artist – curator – project manager

Practical information

The exhibition will take place at three locations in Meise Botanic Garden:

• Franklinia Pavilion (Green Ark), 
• the Citrus Orangery 
• the Balatkas (crown conservatory)
• from 5 September 2026 until 25 October 2026
• from 10 am to 6 pm
• The exhibition ‘Paradise Lost? Alphonse Balat – The King’s Architect’ is included in the admission ticket for Meise Botanic Garden. 

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with the support of