Victor Pierre Horta (6 January 1861 – 8 September 1947) was a Belgian architect and designer, and one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement. He was a fervent admirer of the French architectural theorist Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and his Hôtel Tassel in Brussels (1892–93), often considered the first Art Nouveau house, is based on the work of Viollet-le-Duc. The curving stylized vegetal forms that Horta used in turn influenced many others, including the French architect Hector Guimard , who used it in the first Art Nouveau apartment building he designed in Paris and in the entrances he designed for the Paris Metro. He is also considered a precursor of modern architecture for his open floor plans and his innovative use of iron, steel and glass.
2. Victor Pierre Horta was a Belgian architect
and designer, and one of the founders of the art
Nouveau movement.
•Asymmetrical
shapes
Art Nouveau Characteristics
•Extensive use of
arches
and curved forms
•Curved glass •Curving,
plant-like
embellishments
•Mosaics •Stained
glass
3. His works is characterized by
• open plan
• Three dimensional articulation of space
• Diffusion of light
• Curved decoration joining with the
• structure of the building
Maison du Peuple
Material white iron (6,00,000 kgs) glass and
masonry, exposed ironwork because of the
experimental combination of brick, glass and
steel this building is an example of modern
architecture
He is also considered a pioneer of modern architecture for his open floor plans and
his innovative use of iron, steel and glass.
4. Post World War I
The post war austerity meant that the art nouveau was no longer affordable. From tis
point Horta no longer used organic forms, and instead based his designs on
geometrical
Exterior characterised by the interplay of cubic and
rectilinear volumes in repetitive bays on the street
facades.
Palais Des Beaux Arts Brussels
Furniture
Horta typically designed not only the building, but also
the furniture, to match his particular style. It was
typically hand-made, and the furniture for each house
was different, since it matched the house, it could not
be changed to any other style, without disrupting the
harmony of the room.
Peacock Chair for
Hôtel Tassel
Table for the 1902 Turin
Exposition
6. ABOUT THE BUILDING…..
It is a town house built by victor horta for the Belgian scientist and
professor emile tassel.
It is generally considered as the first true art nouveau building .
He built a house consisting of three different parts
Two rather conventional buildings in brick and natural stone
One on the side of the street
One on the side of the garden and were linked by a steel structure
covered with glass
7. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
• He designed every single detail; door handles, woodwork ,panels and windows in stained glass, mosaic
flooring and the furnishing . Hota succeeded in integrating lavish decoration without masking the
general architectural structure.
Glass is used in windows
Iron made columns of the classical
architectural style
Smooth fluid facade
Consoles and molding
Stone surface
Rafters and iron
sights.
Free plant type capital
decorative as well as
functional
Wrought iron
columns
Its shape is narrow and justified
First floor
• Windows separated by stone
columns
Second floor
Gallery with high iron columns
And glasses
Third floor
Terrace with iron railings
Walls are covered with stone
masonry
The middle part is curvatious
8. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Iron railing built before windows
separated with iron columns
Stone made columns
separating windows
Walls painted in curvilinear
forms to integrate with the
balustrades and railings
Curvilinear forms at
balustrades
Door knobs designed in
sync with other elements
Stained glass window
Entrance Gate
Mail slot
Classical columns below iron beams
Window details
Branches like iron
beams supporting
the structure abov
galleria.
Door designed in
wavy form
integrates with the
surroundings.
10. ABOUT
Designed in 1898
His skill is demonstrated in his ability to slip his domestic
designs into narrow constricted sites
The Hôtel van Eetvelde is considered one of Horta's
most accomplished and innovative buildings, because
of highly original Winter Garden interior and the
imaginative details throughout.
An extension was also designed by Horta in 1898 which
was more conventional, beautifully detailed sandstone
façade.
It was designed to house a garage, an office for van
Evatalde as well as supporting apartments and
therefore had a separate entrance
11. ArcHITEcTUrAL fEATUrES
The interiors become of great importance as centres of light,
which permeates through the filigree domes and skylights –
usually in the centre of the building.
This building is a remarkable example of the way Horta handled
the situation and used it to highlight the imposing staircase,
which leads up to the first floor reception rooms.
The visible application of steel and glass was a novel for
prestigious private dwellings at the time. Hanging steel was also
used in the construction of façade.
The interior receives additional lighting through a central
reception room covered by a stained glass cupola.
The open floor plan of the Hôtel Van Eetvelde was
particularly original, and offered an abundance of light,
both horizontally and vertically, and a great sensation of
space.
A central court went up the height of the building,
bringing light from the skylight above.
On the main floor, the oval-shaped salons were open to
the courtyard, and also received light from large bay
windows. It was possible to look from one side of the
building to other from any of the salons on the main
floor.
12. ArcHITEcTUrAL fEATUrES
Detail of the facade of the Hôtel van Eetvelde
Interior: use of iron and glass frames with art noveau Filigree Domes
Ornamentation, shows the strength and delicacy Delicate ornamental works of gold, copper,
of the materials.
The top storey with carved tendrils in stone and elaborate iron work
13. ArcHITEcTUrAL fEATUrES
The recessed entrance with the upper floors resting on metal consoles
Centre: colonnettes with plant like capitals, mosaic decorations on the facade
Detail of the Winter Garden of the Hôtel van Eetvelde
Winter Garden of the Hôtel van Eetvelde Doorway with stained glass