‘New Museum for Guy Moerenhout’s car collection’
Since the 1970s, Guy Moerenhout has been collecting and restoring cars that are in one way or another linked to the memorable car builder Carlo Abarth.
It’s also includes Fiats, Ladas, Seats, Saabs and others. Trough the Guy Moerenhout Racing team (GMR) the cars are often found in perfect running condition.
Guy Moerenhout himself, a former rally driver and race tuner, still participates in historic rallies.
This passion grew into the Abarth Works Museum, whose collection today numbers more than three hundred special cars.
Because the collection is still growing AIDarchitecten was appointed to design a new museum.
A walk via eleven plateaus around a central void leads the visitor through many years of automotive history.
While the old cars are bathed in natural light through the use of a translucent facade, strategically placed bay windows in clear glass stimulate the curiosity of passers-by.
In addition to the exhibition, room will also be made for a library with the enormous book collection and a museum café.
One of the plans is to have a fleet of cars available for rent, either for rallies, or just for a leisurely drive.
The new Abarth Works Museum has meeting rooms that can accommodate events for up to 400 people.
abarth-gmr.be
aidarchitecten.be
Client:
Abarth-GMR
Architect:
AID architects
Facts:
Three floors +/- 5000m² of exibition room
meeting rooms
mechanics
library
museum shop
and a Carlo’s bar
Opening expected spring 2025
Lier, Belgium