Francis Bonaert

Francis Bonaert (born 1914 in Kortrijk) is a Belgian architect.

He followed first classical studies (Latin-Greek) at the Maredsous Abbey, where he graduated in 1933. There he start taking photographs under the guidance of Father Attout OSB using a Leica (Leitz).An interest in shape and form led him to study architecture at the Institut Superieur d'Architecture St Luc, in Brussels, from which he graduated in 1940.

In 1941 he studied modern architecture under architect Stanislas Jasinski. He developed plans for a museum where light comes gradually from above as one moves upwards in the building. The plans were not executed, but used the same ideas as those that gave birth to the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

During WWII, he returned to work as a photographer to avoid working as an architect for the Germans.He was then influenced by Edmond Moulu, who was making photos of the Orval Abbey on new Gevalux paper, and applied this technique to two types of subject: portrait and scenery.

He also worked (1942-43) under the supervision of architect Oscar Goffart, where he was trained in attention to detail in design.

After the war, he opened his own office in Brussels, working in four main areas:

* He built a few modern buildings as exemplified by the Benelux pavilion at Expo '58, in Brussels.
* Under the influence of the book Early Homes depicting colonial houses in the USA, he started building private villas.
* Later, he moved to building villas of more classical inspiration and in the Flemish farm style.
* Finally, he restored many protected monuments, especially castles and some churches. In this area his most impressive work is the restoration of the Castle of Duras.