Panamarenko House

Panamarenko House is a house museum in Antwerp's Seefhoek district, located at Biekorfstraat 2, dedicated to the work of Belgian artist Panamarenko (1940–2019). For decades the building served both as his home and his studio, and it was here that he created most of his life's work, right up until his retirement.

Who was Panamarenko?

Panamarenko described himself not simply as an artist but as an inventor, engineer, mathematician, philosopher and visionary. His work consists of imaginative, often non-functional constructions inspired by the dream of flight and movement: flying backpacks, pedal-powered helicopters, zeppelins, submarines, oversized beetles and mechanical "walking chickens." He combined a science-fiction aesthetic with hands-on craftsmanship and a wry commentary on technological progress.

Why did the house become a museum?

In 2007, Panamarenko donated his house together with its entire contents to the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen (M HKA), which has managed the property ever since. As a result, the interiors remain in an almost untouched state — visitors step into a space that for decades functioned as a genuine working environment rather than a curated exhibition.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior is a densely packed space filled with prototypes, sketches, models and full-scale objects. Among them are flying constructions, insect-like vehicles, aviation-inspired devices and submarine designs. A distinctive feature of the building is the helicopter landing platform mounted on the roof ridge, a nod to the artist's lifelong fascination with flight and transport technology.

Status and accessibility

Because of the intimate scale of the building and the need to preserve its original interior, the Panamarenko House has limited accessibility — it opens to visitors only once a week, and a booking must be made online in advance. In 2025 the building was granted official protected heritage status, confirming its significance as a fully preserved home-and-studio belonging to one of Belgium's most important post-war artists.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Panamarenko House located? The building stands at Biekorfstraat 2 in the Seefhoek district of Antwerp.

Can visitors enter without a prior reservation? No — due to limited accessibility, advance online registration is required, and the house is open to the public only once a week.

Who manages the house museum? Since 2007, when Panamarenko donated the building along with its contents, it has been managed by the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen (M HKA).

What makes this site stand out among other artist house museums? Its unique rooftop helicopter platform and the fact that the interior remains almost exactly as it was when Panamarenko actually lived and worked there.