When architecture becomes the starting point.
Today a fireplace determines much more than just the temperature in a room. It influences sightlines, brings calm to an interior and connects materials, volumes and living spaces with one another. As a result, a fireplace is increasingly included as early as the first design phase, even before the technical development of a project begins.

For many homes, a quality built-in fireplace offers every possibility to integrate architectural fire elegantly. Some projects, however, ask for more. When dimensions, proportions or detailing must not be determined by a standard appliance, but by the architecture itself, the question of a bespoke fireplace arises.

At Metalfire both solutions exist side by side. Alongside an extensive range of built-in fireplaces, we design and produce fully bespoke fireplaces, from a refined open gas fire to an impressive bespoke open wood fireplace. Every project is worked out fully from sketch to installation, with Belgian craftsmanship and full in-house production in Evergem as the foundation. This creates an architectural fireplace that is not added to a design, but is part of it from the very first idea.

In brief

• Metalfire offers built-in gas fires and built-in wood burning fireplaces as well as fully bespoke work, where the architecture determines the appliance instead of the other way around.
• Open gas fires and open wood fireplaces are designed fully bespoke: dimensions, proportions, 10 mm finishing frames and complete fireplace concepts follow the design.
• The process runs from the sketch phase through engineering and production in Evergem to technical support during execution. Installation is carried out by the approved dealer or installer.
• Cast-iron finishes (Original, Round, Triangle), ceramic interior linings and colours such as Terracotta, Maple Gold and Artic Silver align the fireplace with the interior.
• Since 2003 Metalfire has produced built-in gas fires, built-in wood burning fireplaces and bespoke open fireplaces in its own workshop in Belgium, with full in-house engineering.

What does bespoke mean at Metalfire?

A bespoke fireplace at Metalfire does not mean that an existing appliance is lightly adapted. It means that the entire fireplace concept is developed from the architecture of the project. The fireplace does not determine the design, the design determines the fireplace.

To understand that difference well, it is important to distinguish between a series appliance and bespoke work.

Built-in fireplaces: high-quality series appliances

A built-in fireplace, whether it is a built-in gas fire or built-in wood burning fireplace, is a high-quality developed series appliance with fixed technical properties and carefully worked out dimensions.

Within those ranges there is still a lot of design freedom. Different widths, fire views, interior finishes and finishing frames make it possible to align the fireplace with varying architectural styles.

For many residential projects, a built-in fireplace is therefore the ideal solution. It combines a high level of finish with an efficient installation and a wide choice of configurations.

Bespoke begins where a catalogue stops

Some designs cannot be translated into a standard format. An exceptionally wide living space, a fireplace that merges entirely into a natural-stone wall or a fire concept that connects several spaces, asks for a different approach.

That is where a bespoke fireplace begins.

In a bespoke project, dimensions, proportions, detailing and finish are fully aligned with the architecture. Not only the fireplace itself, but the entire fireplace concept is developed in function of the space in which it is integrated.

That means designers and engineers work together with the architect and interior designer from the start, to reconcile technical possibilities with aesthetic ambitions. The fireplace grows with the design, instead of limiting it.

Two solutions that reinforce each other

At Metalfire we do not see built-in fireplaces and bespoke work as competing solutions, but as two successive steps.

For many projects, a quality built-in fireplace offers everything needed to integrate architectural fire. When the architecture asks for more, however, for example deviating proportions, an exceptional fire width or a fully integrated solution, bespoke work offers the freedom to go beyond the possibilities of a series appliance.

That vision makes it possible to approach every project from the same quality standard. Both our bespoke open gas and wood fireplaces and our built-in ranges are developed from the same attention to detailing, material choice and finish. The difference lies not in the quality, but in the design freedom.

Anyone who notices that a standard solution does not fully match the architectural ambitions of a project can easily grow from the built-in ranges to a fully bespoke fireplace. As a result, both solutions connect seamlessly and reinforce each other, instead of replacing each other.

From first sketch to execution: the bespoke process

A bespoke fireplace is created not in the production hall, but at the design table. That is why Metalfire is preferably involved as early as the sketch phase of a project. At that moment, architecture, technology and fire experience can still be worked out as one whole.

Because design, engineering, production and project guidance are located under one roof, the entire process runs via short communication lines. That makes it possible to switch quickly, answer technical questions immediately and make even complex projects feasible.

Step 1: Early involvement from the sketch phase

In the first design phase, much more is determined than just the position of the fireplace. The flue gas outlet, air supply, heat output and the required technical space are also included in the overall concept.

During the first conversations we look not only at the desired position of the fireplace, but also at how it relates to the architecture of the home.

Where do the main sightlines fall? Which materials come together around the fire? How can the fireplace connect a space without being dominant? And which technical provisions must already be foreseen today to execute the design cleanly later?

By involving Metalfire from the sketch phase, the architect and interior designer can design freely, without having to take into account technical limitations that only come to light during execution.

In practice we notice that a few centimetres during the sketch phase can later make a big difference. A flue gas outlet planned in time or a technical shaft positioned just differently often prevents drastic adjustments during execution. That is why we see early involvement not as a practical step, but as an essential part of the design process.

In our experience, that early collaboration delivers not only better technical integration, but also a calmer interior. Technical provisions disappear from view, so attention can go fully to the architecture and the fire.

Expert insight from the Metalfire Design Team
The most beautiful bespoke fireplaces are barely noticeable as a technical element. That only succeeds when architecture and technology are developed together from the first sketch.

Step 2: Engineering and technical development in-house

When the design takes shape, our designers and engineers take the project further in hand. During this phase, all technical aspects are worked out in detail.

Dimensions, constructions, connections and tolerances are checked and, where necessary, optimised. Because the entire engineering happens internally, questions or changes can be processed quickly. There is no complex communication between different external parties, so decisions are made efficiently.

That technical optimisation is an important advantage, especially with bespoke work. A natural-stone wall that becomes a few millimetres thicker, a changed ceiling height or an adapted steel structure can have consequences for the fireplace. Thanks to the short lines, such changes can be evaluated and integrated quickly.

Step 3: Production in the own workshop in Evergem

After the technical development, production starts at the own production site in Evergem. There, all parts are manufactured, assembled and checked according to the same quality standard.

Because design and production are located at the same site, the consultation between designers, engineers and craftspeople continues constantly. That makes it possible to make refinements during production when this benefits the quality or the integration of the project.

That direct collaboration is one of the reasons why even exceptional bespoke projects remain feasible. Complex dimensions or specific detailing require no long communication processes, but can be discussed directly between the teams involved.

Step 4: Technical support from the manufacturer

The bespoke process does not end when the fireplace leaves our production. As a manufacturer, Metalfire continues to support architects, property developers and dealers technically during the execution phase of the project.

The actual installation and site coordination are carried out by the approved dealer or installer. Metalfire provides the necessary technical documentation, detailed drawings and product support, so the design can be correctly integrated and executed according to the set specifications.

For architects this means they can rely on the expertise of the manufacturer throughout the entire process, while the local dealer handles the practical execution on site. For clients, this collaboration offers the certainty that design, production and installation are optimally coordinated.

Why this process makes the difference

In many bespoke projects, several parties are involved. Design, production and installation then run via separate companies, each with their own planning and communication.

At Metalfire, design, R&D, engineering, production and project guidance work together within one organisation. Those short communication lines make it easier to carry out technical optimisations, make decisions faster and safeguard quality throughout the entire process.

For the architect that means more design freedom. For the client it means more certainty. And for the end result it means a bespoke fireplace that is not only technically correct, but also fully matches the architecture for which it was designed.

The possibilities of bespoke work

A bespoke fireplace does not begin with a fixed range or a standard dimension. It arises from the architecture of a project. That offers the freedom to design a fireplace that perfectly matches the proportions of a space, the chosen materials and the vision of the architect.

That design freedom goes far beyond dimensions alone. The surround, the detailing and the way the fireplace transitions into wall, furniture or interior are also fully worked out bespoke.

Dimensions and proportions follow the design

With a standard appliance, the interior is often adapted to the available dimensions of the fireplace. With bespoke work, exactly the opposite happens.

Width, height and depth are aligned with the architecture of the home. As a result, a fireplace can connect perfectly to a long living space, a monumental chimney breast or a compact seating area without the proportions getting out of balance.

For our designers, bespoke work is not about 'bigger', but about 'more precise'. A fireplace a few centimetres wider or just slightly lower can bring a space fully into visual balance.

Minimalist surrounds and refined finishing frames

The finish is also fully aligned with the project. Depending on the desired look, you can choose a subtle surround, a refined 10 mm finishing frame or an elegant conical frame that makes the transition between fireplace and wall even more discreet.

These details seem small at first glance, but co-determine how the fireplace is experienced. In a minimalist interior, a slim finishing frame makes the fire seem to arise almost directly from the architecture. In other projects, the surround may have more presence and form an architectural accent.

It is precisely that attention to detailing that makes the difference between a fireplace placed in a wall and a fireplace that truly becomes part of the design.

Fireplace concepts that merge into the interior

With bespoke work, the design does not stop at the edge of the combustion chamber. Often the fireplace is part of a larger whole in which different elements come together seamlessly.

A fireplace can, for example, continue into a natural-stone wall, be integrated into a bespoke cabinet or combined with a floating piece of furniture. A wood-storage concept can also be designed in from the start, so functionality and architecture reinforce each other.

That integrated approach creates calm. No loose elements stand side by side, but one coherent whole in which fire, materials and volumes complement each other.

A fitting solution for every architectural situation

Because every project is different, the form of the fireplace can also be fully aligned with the space.

A front model emphasises one powerful sightline and fits perfectly in clean living spaces. A corner fireplace connects two perspectives and lets the fire be experienced from several spaces. A three-sided fireplace creates an open character in which the flames stay visible from different angles, while a tunnel fireplace subtly connects two spaces without them losing their own identity.

The choice of a particular type is never determined solely by aesthetics. Circulation, light, material use and the way residents use a space also play an important role.

Exceptional projects become feasible too

Some architectural concepts require solutions that do not fit within the limits of a series appliance. Think of exceptionally wide flame pictures, fireplaces that visually connect several storeys or complex integrations in which steel, natural stone and bespoke furniture come together.

Thanks to the combination of design, engineering and production under one roof, such projects can also be worked out in a technically sound way. As a result, the architect does not have to simplify the design to make the fireplace possible.

That is perhaps the greatest added value of bespoke work: not starting from what is technically standard available, but searching together for the solution that best supports the architectural concept.

Finishing down to the detail

A bespoke fireplace is not only determined by its dimensions or technical design. It is often the smallest details that make the difference between a fireplace that stands out and a fireplace that is a natural part of the architecture.

That is why Metalfire devotes as much attention to the finish of the combustion chamber as to the design of the fireplace itself. Materials, textures and colours are carefully coordinated, so the fireplace subtly merges into the interior or grows into a powerful architectural statement.

Cast-iron interior finishes with their own character

An important part of that finish is the cast-iron interior finish. Cast iron combines an authentic look with a long service life and at the same time forms a calm background against which the fire comes into its own.

Metalfire offers several structures, each with its own character.

Original creates a timeless, refined look that fits within both classic and contemporary architecture.

Round brings a softer texture that subtly reinforces the play of light and shadow.

Triangle provides a more pronounced relief and gives the combustion chamber extra depth and dynamism.

The choice of Original, Round or Triangle is not a purely aesthetic decision. The way the light plays on the back wall and how the fire is experienced also changes with the chosen structure.

A refined colour palette for every interior

In addition to different textures, Metalfire also offers a carefully composed palette of finishing colours.

Recent additions such as Terracotta, Maple Gold and Artic Silver create new possibilities to align a fireplace with the materiality of an interior. Where dark finishes let the fire speak more, warmer tones can make the fireplace connect subtly with natural stone, wood or metal accents.

As a result, the combustion chamber becomes not a technical part, but an integral part of the interior concept.

Ceramic interior linings for a different look

Besides cast iron, ceramic interior linings are also among the possibilities.

Ceramic reflects the light of the flames in a different way and gives the combustion chamber its own atmosphere. Depending on the chosen finish, the fire can be experienced as lighter, warmer or more contrast-rich.

The choice between cast iron and ceramic is therefore not determined solely by technical properties, but above all by the desired look of the project.

Materials and textures that match the architecture

Every home has its own material palette. Some interiors are characterised by natural stone and concrete, others by wood, lime plaster or fine metalwork.

With an extensive range of materials and textures, the fireplace can be aligned with that architectural context. In some projects it almost completely disappears into the wall. In others it deliberately forms an eye-catcher that connects different spaces.

That freedom makes it possible to find a balance between discretion and expression for every project.

The difference is in the detailing

When architects compare different manufacturers, it is often not the technical specifications that are decisive, but the finish.

The precision of a finishing frame, the quality of a cast-iron interior finish, the transition between different materials and the consistency of colours determine how a fireplace is ultimately experienced.

That level of detail is also where Metalfire distinguishes itself from many series appliances within the same price range. Not by offering more possibilities, but by working out every detail carefully, so the fireplace forms one whole with the architecture, both technically and aesthetically.

Why in-house production in Belgium makes the difference

Realising a bespoke fireplace requires more than a good design. It requires a production process in which designers, engineers and craftspeople continuously work together. That is why Metalfire has chosen full in-house production since its founding.

Today Metalfire is among the few manufacturers that still produce their fireplaces entirely themselves. Design, R&D and engineering, production and quality control all happen under one roof in Evergem. As a result, knowledge, experience and craftsmanship stay within the same team throughout the entire process.

Short lines make complex projects feasible

When engineering and production are located at the same site, technical questions can be discussed immediately.

Does a detail need to be adapted? Does a material choice change during the design? Or does an exceptional project require a specific technical solution? Then designers and production can consult directly, without losing time on long communication processes.

Those short lines make a real difference in complex bespoke projects, where precision and flexibility go hand in hand.

Quality arises through control

By keeping the entire production process in its own hands, Metalfire safeguards the quality of every step.

Not only the final check is important, but also the way materials are processed, parts connect to one another and finishes are checked. That thorough quality control ensures that every project meets the same high standard, regardless of size or complexity.

Made to Measure. Made in Belgium.

For Metalfire, Belgian craftsmanship is not a slogan, but a way of working.

By bringing design, production and engineering together in Belgium, the distance between idea and realisation stays small. That makes it possible to react quickly, refine technical solutions further and carry out bespoke projects without compromising on quality or finish.

We capture that vision in one promise: Made to Measure. Made in Belgium.

Bespoke work for architects and interior designers

A bespoke fireplace never arises on its own. It is part of a larger architectural story in which materials, volumes, light and sightlines are carefully coordinated. That is why Metalfire works closely with every architect and interior designer who wants to approach fire as part of the design from the start.

That collaboration goes beyond delivering a fireplace. It is about project-based guidance, where aesthetics, technology and craftsmanship come together in one integrated process.

One point of contact throughout the whole project

In complex construction and renovation projects, several parties are often involved. Architects, interior designers, engineering firms, contractors and installers each work from their own expertise.

Metalfire brings those disciplines together around one central point of contact. As a result, design choices and technical questions can be coordinated quickly, without information getting lost between the different links.

That direct communication provides clarity, speeds up decisions and makes it easier to carry out refinements during the project when this benefits the architectural quality.

From concept to integration

A bespoke fireplace is not designed after the architecture is fixed. It grows with the project.

From the first design ideas, our designers and engineers think along about the position of the fireplace, the technical integration and the relationship with the rest of the interior. This creates a solution in which fire, materials and architecture reinforce each other.

During the further development we stay involved. Even when detailing changes, material choices evolve or technical questions arise, we always look for the solution that respects the original design.

That guidance from concept to integration ensures that the fireplace is not added as a separate element, but feels like a natural part of the architectural whole.

Architectural integration calls for early collaboration

The most beautiful integrations arise when the fireplace is already included in the first design phase.

Early involvement makes it possible to logically include flue gas outlet, air supply, heat output and technical spaces in the design. As a result, no visible adjustments need to be made later and material transitions, bespoke furniture and sightlines stay fully intact.

In our experience, that is one of the greatest added values for architects. Not because the design becomes more complicated, but because it can precisely stay simpler. When technology is integrated from the start, more freedom arises to work out the architecture cleanly.

Building a unique fire concept together

No two homes are identical. That is why we never start from a standard solution when a project asks for bespoke work.

Every collaboration begins with listening. To the architectural vision, to the expectations of the client and to the way the residents will use the space. Only then do our designers and engineers translate those insights into a technically feasible and aesthetically considered fireplace concept.

That makes Metalfire more than a producer of fireplaces. We are a partner that thinks along about the architectural integration of fire, from the first sketch to the technical support during execution.

About Metalfire

Since 2003 Metalfire has designed and produced architectural gas and wood fireplaces from Evergem. Thanks to full in-house production and engineering, design, development and production happen under one roof, with maximum attention to quality, flexibility and technical refinement.

Today Metalfire is among the few manufacturers that still produce their fireplaces entirely themselves. From quality built-in appliances to fully worked out bespoke fireplaces, every project is realised by a team of designers and engineers that brings together technology, aesthetics and craftsmanship.

Through close collaboration with architects and interior designers and a project-based approach, Metalfire guides projects from the first sketch to the final integration in the project, while the approved dealers handle the installation on site. That combination of Belgian craftsmanship, innovation and craft results in fireplaces that not only excel technically, but also become a natural part of high-end architectural interiors.