Entering a house designed by Victor Horta, a founding architect father of Art Nouveau style, is equal with emerging in another universe. The shapes and forms, the colours and materials, the game of light and shadow will cut your breath. This wow-effect is even more obvious when it comes to Hôtel Solvay, the UNESCO World Heritage Town House by Victor Horta that is considered by many to be the peak of his career.
Luxury. This is probably one of the first words that comes in one’s mind upon entering Hôtel Solvay. It was commissioned by Armand Solvay, son of the chemist and industrialist Ernest Solvay, one of the country’s wealthiest individuals at the turn of the century. The owner granted the architect total freedom and unlimited budget: further to Horta’s question regarding the budget, Solvay answered there was no budget. And indeed, in this house the sky is the limit.
“It is the architect’s task to create a layout providing the best answer to aesthetic and practical problems. Depending on this person’s level of ability, success is chancy….yet if it turns out to be perfect, the visitor may not even realize that a difficulty was overcome.” (Victor Horta)
Horta used the finest and most precious materials of his time: marbles, exotic woods, velvets, gold and brass. 23 different types of marble and 17 varieties of wood were applied in a decorative scheme dominated by red and orange tones that reinforced the luxurious atmosphere. He also designed every single detail: furniture, carpets, light fittings, tableware and even the doorbell. The fan-shaped skylight complements the feeling of infinity.
“When I realise now that not only the whole composition, but every step of the reproduction of each design passed through my hands, I am surprised, let me say, at how easily I composed, but no less surprised at my personal stamina, because at the same time that I did these works, I was also teaching at the university and participating in artistic circles.” (Victor Horta)
Can you imagine that this house, that also features its original furniture, almost fell victim of demolition in the ‘50s?! It is the Wittamer family that bought, saved and restored the building. The current owner, Alexandre Wittamer, represents already the third generation of the family: “My grandparents bought the building in 1957 and saved it from demolition. They wanted to pass on their love for Victor Horta and Belgian Art Nouveau to future generations. Brussels can be proud of its architects and artisans of the time.” Further to the efforts of the family, the building got entirely listed in 1977. It was in 2000 that the UNESCO commission recognised the Hôtel Solvay as UNESCO World Heritage as part of the listing ‘Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta’. These “are some of the most remarkable pioneering works of architecture of the end of the 19th century. The stylistic revolution represented by these works is characterised by their open plan, the diffusion of light, and the brilliant joining of the curved lines of decoration with the structure of the building.”
Don’t be tricked by the scaffolding currently covering the facade: the building remains open for visits while its facade is undergoing renovation. Book your visit online or take advantage of the Art Nouveau Pass and combine your visit with checking out other major Art Nouveau gems in town.
Photos by Dorka Demeter @artnouveau.brussels
