Augusta Gallery: When Sustainable Means Highly Desirable

By Allison Lefevre

Nestled in the heart of the Sablon district, the gallery founded by sisters Ariane and Lara van Dievoet showcases a carefully curated selection of objects, textiles, and design furniture crafted from recycled, bio-based, or geosourced materials. Exclusively featuring durable and locally sourced pieces, Augusta invites visitors to rediscover these creations through numerous exhibitions held both inside and outside its walls - and perhaps even beyond.

A Family Legacy Reimagined

Brussels, a sunny April afternoon. Just steps from the Sablon church, on the charming, cobblestone Rue Coppens - shaded and quiet - stands a white house with green joinery. Above the door of number 5 and on the window, a sign announces the space’s identity: Augusta. “It’s the name of my great-grandmother, a gallery owner in the 1930s,” explains Ariane van Dievoet, interior architect and designer. “For nearly 40 years, this space, which belonged to my family, was rented to a gallery owner. When they closed, I saw an opportunity to renovate it. I initially thought of hosting an exhibition before putting the space up for rent. But as my sister Lara and I developed the project, we got hooked.” Three years ago, the van Dievoet sisters breathed new life into this gallery, now specializing in eco-design: while Ariane oversees curation, programming, and installations, Lara manages communications.

A Commitment to Circular Design

The 35-square-meter space, spread over two floors, features design pieces made primarily from natural, bio-based, or geosourced recycled materials. “The gallery’s uniqueness lies in highlighting the work of designers active in circularity,” says Ariane van Dievoet. “Each of their creations offers an innovative solution. What makes them stand out is their durability, functionality, and high-end quality.”

Examples include the Glow lamp by Cru atelier, made from a blend of lime and hemp, or the Tellura shelf-console by the same duo, assembled from cork, earth, gypsum (a type of plaster), and beech wood from the Forêt de Soignes—all biodegradable and locally sourced materials. There are also decorative wall compositions and curtains crafted from fabric end-stocks by textile designers La Gadoue, or a series of mirrors with structures made from recycled wood, stone, or marble, created by Ariane van Dievoet herself.

While the gallery champions emerging talent, it also features established names like Lionel Jadot or Frédérique Hoet.

Complementary Worlds

“When I founded AVANDI, my furniture and object design studio in Brooklyn in 2014, I became interested in ethical dimensions and circularity,” explains the designer. “When I returned to Belgium in 2018, I didn’t want to produce with new materials. It didn’t make sense to add to what already exists—especially since, through my interior architecture projects, I realized how many deconstruction materials (like stone) and scraps of wood, fabric, and other materials could be reused advantageously.” This approach, based on recovery and revalorization, is shared by all the designers exhibited at Augusta. “Our values align perfectly,” say architects Sarah El Yousefy and Nina Ouchinsky, co-directors of Cru atelier. “This gallery targets circular design - it’s incredibly rare! Exhibiting here legitimizes our approach.”

For Eloïse Maës and Audrey Werthle, creators of La Gadoue, the collaboration also felt natural: “Our objects resonate with each other; our worlds are complementary.”

Materials, hues, and forms blend harmoniously, as in a well-designed interior—giving the space an added soul. “Many people asked me why I didn’t reclaim the space for my own showroom; that idea didn’t appeal to me. But as soon as I thought of opening it to other designers, it excited me. The collective brings strength, energy, and impact. I love meeting peers, bringing people together, making connections, and showcasing projects I believe in.”

Varying the types of exhibitions - group, duo, or solo - keeps the space fresh and constantly evolving, almost organically, with each new installation.

Since its creation, Augusta Gallery has participated in three Collectible fairs, hosted around ten in-house exhibitions, and organised events at The Dominican Hotel and Puilaetco Bank - expanding the visibility of the roughly 15 designers they represent to reach new audiences.

Timeless Favorites

“Our ambition is to showcase - and above all, sell - the work of the designers we represent,” emphasises Ariane van Dievoet. Between studios, tools, machinery, materials, and hours of research, everything has a cost. To support eco-design, there’s nothing like buying it! Objects and furniture at Augusta Gallery range from €180 to €10,000. “Pieces that will prove durable in every sense of the word,” notes the gallerist. These are not prototypes but finished, refined unique pieces that can be produced on a larger scale or made to order. Minimally processed, they emphasize natural materials and colors designed to withstand the test of time and resist fleeting trends.

Within Augusta’s refined setting, the singularity and beauty of the creations seem elevated - a boon for designers who lack a dedicated showcase space and don’t necessarily seek direct contact with potential buyers.

“Talking about our approach, highlighting it, attracting visitors, and closing sales is work that shouldn’t be underestimated,” point out the creators of Cru atelier. And La Gadoue adds: “Ariane has the rare dual role of gallerist and designer. Thanks to her practice, she fully understands our needs.” Above all, she grasps the realities of the profession, understands the stakes, and tracks industry trends. “Having worked on custom projects with designers, I know the extent of their expertise, their ongoing developments, and their timelines.” A significant advantage that, she hopes, will help expand Augusta’s clientele to include a broader network of architects, interior designers, and other specialists - helping Belgian sustainable design shine both at home and abroad.