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.

‘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 architectural studios 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 take centre stage once again?

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