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89-673: Architect Hector Guimard (1867-1942) was born in Lyon and attended the School of Decorative Arts and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He was in charge of the construction of the Pavilion of Electricity at the 1889 Paris International Exposition, and between 1891 and 1893 he built several private houses and a school in Paris, all in the traditional styles. In 1894, at the age of twenty-seven, Guimard traveled to England and to Belgium, where he met

178-422: A Registration Examination or a series of exams is required prior to licensure. Professionals who engaged in the design and supervision of construction projects before the late 19th century were not necessarily trained in a separate architecture program in an academic setting. Instead, they often trained under established architects. Prior to modern times, there was no distinction between architects and engineers and

267-403: A building or several buildings, structures, and the spaces among them. The architect participates in developing the requirements the client wants in the building. Throughout the project (planning to occupancy), the architect coordinates a design team. Structural , mechanical , and electrical engineers are hired by the client or architect, who must ensure that the work is coordinated to construct

356-590: A glaze (enduit) molded metal windowframes, and a roof covered with zinc. In 1922 he built a house on square Jasmin with these materials. In 1930 he designed a country house, la Guimardiere, where the pipes for the plumbing became a decorative element, featured on the outside, a precursor of the Centre Pompidou. It was demolished in 1969. As World War II approached, he left France and died in New York in 1942. Nearly all of his Metro stations were removed, and he

445-495: 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. The Horta House and Studio, now the Horta Museum , was Horta's residence and office, and

534-458: A highly original use of steel frames and skylights to bring light into the structures, open floor plans, and finely-designed decorative details. His later major works included the Maison du Peuple/Volkshuis (1895–1899), Brussels' Centre for Fine Arts (1923–1929) and Brussels-Central railway station (1913–1952). In 1932, King Albert I conferred on Horta the title of Baron for his services to

623-488: A new plan of reinforced concrete with a steel frame. He had intended the concrete to be left exposed in the interior, but the final appearance did not meet his expectations, and he had it covered. The concert hall itself is in an unusual ovoid, or egg shape, and is accompanied by art galleries, meeting rooms, and other functional rooms. The building is placed on a complex hillside site, and occupies eight levels, much of it underground. It also had to be designed to avoid blocking

712-532: A simple residential building as a major work; in the 20th century this became one of the characteristics of the modernist revolution in architecture. Guimard built one other Art Nouveau house in Paris; his own residence, the Hotel Guimard, between 1909 and 1913, at 122 Avenue Mozart. For his own house, he moved away from ornament and expressed the Art Nouveau idea of modeling after nature in the form of

801-493: A title attached to a person's name was regulated by law in some countries. Architects' fee structure was typically based on a percentage of construction value, as a rate per unit area of the proposed construction, hourly rates, or a fixed lump sum fee. Combination of these structures were also common. Fixed fees were usually based on a project's allocated construction cost and could range between 4 and 12% of new construction cost for commercial and institutional projects, depending on

890-421: A vital part of the current design, and in some jurisdictions, design reports and records are required to include ongoing considerations of materials and contaminants, waste management and recycling, traffic control, and fire safety. Previously, architects employed drawings to illustrate and generate design proposals. While conceptual sketches are still widely used by architects, computer technology has now become

979-564: A warranty which specifies the expected life and other aspects of the material, product, or work. In most jurisdictions prior notification to the relevant authority must be given before commencement of the project, giving the local authority notice to carry out independent inspections. The architect will then review and inspect the progress of the work in coordination with the local authority. The architect will typically review contractor shop drawings and other submittals , prepare and issue site instructions, and provide Certificates for Payment to

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1068-473: Is often between the client and the contractor. This contract is legally binding and covers a wide range of aspects, including the insurance and commitments of all stakeholders, the status of the design documents, provisions for the architect's access, and procedures for the control of the works as they proceed. Depending on the type of contract used, provisions for further sub-contract tenders may be required. The architect may require that some elements be covered by

1157-496: Is suggested that various developments in technology and mathematics allowed the development of the professional 'gentleman' architect, separate from the hands-on craftsman. Paper was not used in Europe for drawing until the 15th century but became increasingly available after 1500. Pencils were used for drawing by 1600. The availability of both paper and pencils allowed pre-construction drawings to be made by professionals. Concurrently,

1246-555: Is the Pritzker Prize , sometimes termed the "Nobel Prize for architecture". The inaugural Pritzker Prize winner was Philip Johnson who was cited as having "50 years of imagination and vitality embodied in a myriad of museums, theatres libraries, houses gardens and corporate structures". The Pritzker Prize has been awarded for forty-two straight editions without interruption, and there are now 22 countries with at least one winning architect. Other prestigious architectural awards are

1335-569: The Avenue Louise/Louizalaan in Brussels, was constructed for Armand Solvay, the son of the chemist and industrialist Ernest Solvay . Horta had a virtually unlimited budget, and used the most exotic materials in unusual combinations, such as marble, bronze and rare tropical woods in the stairway decoration. The stairway walls were decorated by the pointillist painter Théo van Rysselberghe . Horta designed every detail including

1424-546: The Maison du Peuple/Volkshuis ("House of the People"), the headquarters for the Belgian Workers' Party (POB/BWP). This was a large structure including offices, meeting rooms, a café and a conference and concert hall seating over 2,000 people. It was a purely functional building, constructed of steel columns with curtain walls. Unlike his houses, there was virtually no decoration. The only recognizable Art Nouveau feature

1513-558: The Maison du Peuple/Volkshuis , demolished in 1965, as mentioned above. However, several of Horta's buildings are still standing in Brussels up to this day and some are available to tour. Most notable are the Magasins Waucquez , formerly a department store, now the Belgian Comic Strip Center and four of his private houses ( hôtels ), which were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 under

1602-600: The Museum for Fine Arts in Tournai , although it did not open until 1928 due to World War I . The Magasins Waucquez (now the Belgian Comic Strip Center ) was originally a department store specializing in textiles. In its design, Horta used all his skill with steel and glass to create dramatic open spaces and to give them an abundance of light from above. The steel and glass skylight is combined with decorative touches, such as neoclassical columns. After Waucquez's death in 1920,

1691-781: The Royal Gold Medal , the AIA Gold Medal (US), AIA Gold Medal (Australia), and the Praemium Imperiale . Architects in the UK who have made contributions to the profession through design excellence or architectural education or have in some other way advanced the profession might, until 1971, be elected Fellows of the Royal Institute of British Architects and can write FRIBA after their name if they feel so inclined. Those elected to chartered membership of

1780-561: The Rue Américaine / Amerikaansestraat , and also became a full member of the Belgian Royal Academy. The post-war austerity meant that Art Nouveau was no longer affordable or fashionable. From this point on, Horta, who had gradually been simplifying his style over the previous decade, no longer used organic forms, and instead based his designs on the geometrical. He continued to use rational floor plans, and to apply

1869-630: The Belgian architect Victor Horta , and saw the Hotel Tassel which Horta had built in 1893–94 in what later became known as the Art Nouveau style. It was inspired not by classical models but by nature, particularly by the curving stems of plants and flowers. Horta also stressed to Guimard the importance of unity in a building; the structure, decoration, furniture, wallpaper, carpets and decoration should all go together. Guimard had undertaken

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1958-566: 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. Horta's later work moved away from Art Nouveau, and became more geometric and formal, with classical touches, such as columns . He made

2047-753: The RIBA after 1971 may use the initials RIBA but cannot use the old ARIBA and FRIBA. An honorary fellow may use the initials Hon. FRIBA, and an international fellow may use the initials Int. FRIBA. Architects in the US who have made contributions to the profession through design excellence or architectural education or have in some other way advanced the profession are elected Fellows of the American Institute of Architects and can write FAIA after their name. Architects in Canada who have made outstanding contributions to

2136-780: The Royal Academy, he was awarded the Grand Prize in architecture. In the years that followed, Horta joined the Central Society of Belgian Architecture, designed and completed three houses in a traditional style, and took part in several competitions. In 1892, he was named head of the Department of Graphic Design for Architecture at the Free University of Brussels , and promoted to professor in 1893. At this time, through lectures and exhibitions organised by

2225-536: The ability to practice independently of supervision. The term building design professional (or design professional) , by contrast, is a much broader term that includes professionals who practice independently under an alternate profession, such as engineering professionals, or those who assist in the practice of architecture under the supervision of a licensed architect, such as intern architects . In many places, independent, non-licensed individuals may perform design services outside of professional restrictions, such as

2314-564: The architect must report back to the client, who may have reservations or recommendations which might introduce further variables into the design. Architects also deal with local and federal jurisdictions regarding regulations and building codes . The architect might need to comply with local planning and zoning laws such as required setbacks, height limitations, parking requirements, transparency requirements (windows), and land use . Some jurisdictions require adherence to design and historic preservation guidelines. Health and safety risks form

2403-500: The architect must undergo specialised training consisting of advanced education and a practicum (or internship) for practical experience to earn a license to practice architecture. Practical, technical, and academic requirements for becoming an architect vary by jurisdiction though the formal study of architecture in academic institutions has played a pivotal role in the development of the profession . Throughout ancient and medieval history, most architectural design and construction

2492-426: The architect's services during each construction stage may be extensive (detailed document preparation and construction review) or less involved (such as allowing a contractor to exercise considerable design-build functions). Architects typically put projects to tender on behalf of their clients, advise them on the award of the project to a general contractor , facilitate and administer a contract of agreement, which

2581-549: The artists' group Les XX , Horta became familiar with the British Arts and Crafts Movement , the developments in book design, and especially textiles and wallpaper, which influenced his later work. In 1893, Horta built a town house , the Autrique House for his friend Eugène Autrique. The interior had a traditional floor plan, due to a limited budget, but the facade previewed some of the elements he developed into

2670-475: The bronze doorbell and the house number, to match the overall style. 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. The open floor plan of the Hôtel Van Eetvelde was particularly original, and offered an abundance of light, both horizontally and vertically, and

2759-410: The building a multiplicity of different forms, materials and colors, some of them inspired by the colors of the villas of seaside towns. The ornament was abundant, but carefully designed and not overwhelming; it moved away from Gothic into a more personal and original style. The interior decoration was also diverse and personal. In the late 1890s, there was growing criticism of the identical facades of

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2848-404: The building began to languish away, and in 1970, the firm closed its doors. Jean Delhaye, a former aid of Horta, saved the building from demolition, and by 16 October 1975, because of its connection to Horta, it was declared a protected historical site. Now a museum of a particular Belgian speciality, the comic strip , it also has a room devoted to Horta. In 1906, Horta accepted the commission for

2937-465: The building but also the furniture to match his particular style. His furniture became as well known as his houses; a displays of his furniture were shown at the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris, and the 1902 Turin Exposition of Modern Decorative Arts . It was typically hand-made, and the furniture for each house was different. In many cases the furniture lasted longer than the house. Its drawback

3026-644: The building itself. Beside the Metro station, Guimard's other Paris works included a Theater/Concert Hall, the Salle Humbert de Romans, which was opened in 1901 and demolished in 1905, and the Synagogue on Rue Pave in the Marais (1913). Between World War I and World War II Guimard turned his attention to experiments in building houses with prefabricated materials, including bricks of molded concrete, covered with

3115-476: The building was done, Guimard sent him an album of the designs of the building with the inscription, "to an eminent master and friend, Victor Horta, affectionate homage from an admirer." Describing the Castel Béranger, the architectural historian and critic Simon Texier wrote: "The Art Nouveau had as its characteristic trait a naturalist approach, which made a building or a simple object into a work which

3204-494: The building's design, construction, and maintenance. Virtual reality (VR) presentations are becoming more common for visualizing structural designs and interior spaces from the point-of-view perspective. Since modern buildings are known to release carbon into the atmosphere, increasing controls are being placed on buildings and associated technology to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and make use of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources may be designed into

3293-633: The buildings along the Paris boulevards built during the Second Empire of Napoleon III and his prefect of the Seine, Georges-Eugène Haussmann ; they were described as monotonous and boring. In 1898 the City government encouraged variety by organizing a competition the most beautiful and original new building facades (the Concours de façades de la ville de Paris ). The winner for the 16th arrondissement

3382-549: The construction of the Brussels Metro system. Beginning in about 1900, Horta's buildings gradually became more simplified in form, but always made with great attention to functionality and to craftsmanship . Beginning in 1903, he constructed the Grand Bazar Anspach, a large department store , with his characteristic use of large windows, open floors, and wrought iron decoration. In 1907, Horta designed

3471-411: The construction. In many jurisdictions mandatory certification or assurance of the completed work or part of the work is required. This demand for certification entails a high degree of risk; therefore, regular inspections of the work as it progresses on site is required to ensure that the design is in compliance itself as well as following all relevant statutes and permissions. Recent decades have seen

3560-463: The contractor (see also Design-bid-build ) which is based on the work done as well as any materials and other goods purchased or hired in the future. In the United Kingdom and other countries, a quantity surveyor is often part of the team to provide cost consulting. With large, complex projects, an independent construction manager is sometimes hired to assist in the design and management of

3649-401: The design becomes more advanced and detailed, specifications and detail designs are made of all the elements and components of the building. Techniques in the production of a building are continually advancing which places a demand on the architect to ensure that he or she remains up to date with these advances. Depending on the client's needs and the jurisdiction's requirements, the spectrum of

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3738-558: The design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that have human occupancy or use as their principal purpose. Etymologically, the term architect derives from the Latin architectus , which derives from the Greek ( arkhi - , chief + tekton , builder), i.e., chief builder. The professional requirements for architects vary from location to location. An architect's decisions affect public safety, and thus

3827-429: The design of houses or other smaller structures. In the architectural profession, technical and environmental knowledge, design, and construction management require an understanding of business as well as design. However, design is the driving force throughout the project and beyond. An architect accepts a commission from a client. The commission might involve preparing feasibility reports , building audits, and designing

3916-494: The design takes place. The extent and nature of these expectations will vary. Foresight is a prerequisite when designing buildings as it is a very complex and demanding undertaking. Any design concept during the early stage of its generation must take into account a great number of issues and variables, including the qualities of the space(s), the end-use and life-cycle of these proposed spaces, connections, relations, and aspects between spaces, including how they are put together, and

4005-468: The design undertaking. The architect may make early proposals to the client which may rework the terms of the brief. The "program" (or brief) is essential to producing a project that meets all the needs of the owner. This becomes a guide for the architect in creating the design concept. Design proposal(s) are generally expected to be both imaginative and pragmatic. Much depends upon the time, place, finance, culture, and available crafts and technology in which

4094-452: The design, ensuring that aspects such as structural supports and air conditioning elements are coordinated. The control and planning of construction costs are also part of these consultations. Coordination of the different aspects involves a high degree of specialized communication, including advanced computer technology such as building information modeling (BIM), computer-aided design (CAD), and cloud-based technologies. Finally, at all times,

4183-416: The design. The architect, once hired by a client, is responsible for creating a design concept that meets the requirements of that client and provides a facility suitable to the required use. The architect must meet with and ask questions to the client, to ascertain all the requirements (and nuances) of the planned project. Often, the full brief is not clear in the beginning. It involves a degree of risk in

4272-401: The design. The design must also balance increasing concerns with environmental sustainability . The architect may introduce (intentionally or not), aspects of mathematics and architecture , new or current architectural theory , or references to architectural history . A key part of the design is that the architect often must consult with engineers, surveyors, and other specialists throughout

4361-526: The end of 1915, he traveled to the United States, where he gave a series of lectures at American universities, including Cornell , Harvard , MIT , Smith College , Wellesley College and Yale . In 1917, he was named Charles Eliot Norton Memorial Lecturer and Professor of Architecture at George Washington University . On Horta's return to Brussels in January 1919, he sold his home and workshop on

4450-552: The end only the facade and the furnishings were saved by the City of Brussels . The facade was disassembled and put into storage, and many proposals were made for its reconstruction, but none were carried out. Some of the furnishings are now on display at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. While Horta was building luxurious town houses for the wealthy, he also applied his ideas to more functional buildings. From 1896 to 1899, he designed and built

4539-593: The exception of high-status projects. In most developed countries only those qualified with an appropriate license, certification, or registration with a relevant body (often a government) may legally practice architecture. Such licensure usually requires a university degree, successful completion of exams, and a training period. Representation of oneself as an architect through the use of terms and titles were restricted to licensed individuals by law, although in general, derivatives such as architectural designer were not legally protected. To practice architecture implies

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4628-713: The field of architecture. After Art Nouveau lost favor, many of Horta's buildings were abandoned, or even destroyed, though his work has since been rehabilitated. Four of the buildings he designed in Brussels were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000: the Hôtel Tassel, the Hôtel Solvay , the Hôtel van Eetvelde and the Horta House (currently the Horta Museum ). Victor Horta

4717-458: The firm (i.e. staff architect, partner, or shareholder, etc.), and the size and location of the firm. A number of national professional organizations exist to promote career and business development in architecture. A wide variety of prizes is awarded by national professional associations and other bodies, recognizing accomplished architects, their buildings, structures, and professional careers. The most lucrative award an architect can receive

4806-585: The full Art Nouveau style, including iron columns and ceramic floral designs. In 1894, Horta was elected President of the Central Society of Belgian Architecture, although he resigned the following year following a dispute caused when he was awarded the commission for a kindergarten on the Rue Saint-Ghislain / Sint-Gissleinsstraat in the Marolles/Marollen district of Brussels, without a public competition. Throughout his life, Horta

4895-409: The impact of proposals on the immediate and wider locality. The selection of appropriate materials and technology must be considered, tested, and reviewed at an early stage in the design to ensure there are no setbacks (such as higher-than-expected costs) which could occur later in the project. The site and its surrounding environment, as well as the culture and history of the place, will also influence

4984-411: The industry standard. Furthermore, design may include the use of photos, collages, prints, linocuts, 3D scanning technology, and other media in design production. Increasingly, computer software is shaping how architects work. BIM technology allows for the creation of a virtual building that serves as an information database for the sharing of design and building information throughout the life-cycle of

5073-414: The introduction of linear perspective and innovations such as the use of different projections to describe a three-dimensional building in two dimensions, together with an increased understanding of dimensional accuracy, helped building designers communicate their ideas. However, development was gradual and slow-going. Until the 18th century, buildings continued to be designed and set out by craftsmen, with

5162-469: The latest developments in building technology and building services engineering . The Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, a multi-purpose cultural centre designed in a more geometric style similar to Art Deco . Horta developed the plans for the Centre for Fine Arts beginning in 1919, with construction starting in 1923. It was completed in 1929. It was originally intended to be built of stone, but Horta made

5251-419: The narrow building sites in Brussels. He achieved this by use of large windows, skylights, mirrors, and especially by his open floor plans, which brought in light from all sides and from above. The Hôtel Aubecq in Brussels was one of his late houses, made for the industrialist Octave Aubecq. As with his other houses, it featured a skylight over the central staircase, filling the house with light. Its peculiarity

5340-566: The new Brugmann University Hospital (now the Victor Horta Site of the Brugmann University Hospital). Developed to take into account the views of the clinicians and hospital managers, Horta's design separated the functions of the hospital into a number of low-rise pavilions spread over the 18 hectares (44 acres) park based campus, and work began in 1911. Although used during World War I , the official opening

5429-511: The profession through contributions to research, scholarship, public service, or professional standing to the good of architecture in Canada or elsewhere may be recognized as Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and can write FRAIC after their name. In Hong Kong, those elected to chartered membership may use the initial HKIA, and those who have made a special contribution after nomination and election by

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5518-498: The project of designing an apartment building in a traditional style for a widow named Madame Fournier before he went to Brussels and met Horta. When he returned, he persuaded his client to allow him to build the structure in the new style. He began designing the Castel Béranger in 1895, Guimard became involved in every detail of the project, designing the furniture, ornamental ironwork, carpets, glass, wall paper, door locks and doorknobs. Guimard did not forget his debt to Horta; when

5607-497: The project's size and complexity. Residential projects ranged from 12 to 20%. Renovation projects typically commanded higher percentages such as 15–20%. Overall billings for architectural firms range widely, depending on their location and economic climate. Billings have traditionally been dependent on local economic conditions, but with rapid globalization, this is becoming less of a factor for large international firms. Salaries could also vary depending on experience, position within

5696-687: The proposed building by local or national renewable energy providers. As a result, the architect is required to remain abreast of current regulations that are continually being updated. Some new developments exhibit extremely low energy use or passive solar building design . However, the architect is also increasingly being required to provide initiatives in a wider environmental sense. Examples of this include making provisions for low-energy transport, natural daylighting instead of artificial lighting, natural ventilation instead of air conditioning, pollution, and waste management, use of recycled materials, and employment of materials which can be easily recycled. As

5785-742: The rise of specialisations within the profession. Many architects and architectural firms focus on certain project types (e.g. healthcare, retail, public housing, and event management), technological expertise, or project delivery methods. Some architects specialise in building code, building envelope , sustainable design , technical writing , historic preservation(US) or conservation (UK), and accessibility . Many architects elect to move into real-estate (property) development , corporate facilities planning, project management , construction management, chief sustainability officers interior design, city planning, user experience design , and design research. Although there are variations in each location, most of

5874-550: The route of the new railway between Brussels' main stations, and then because of World War I. Construction finally began in 1937 as part of the plans to boost the economy during the Great Depression , before being delayed again by the outbreak of World War II. Horta was still working on the station when he died in 1947. The station was finally completed, to his plans, by his colleagues led by Maxime Brunfaut . It opened on 4 October 1952. Horta typically designed not only

5963-427: The same time). In 2000, it was designated, along with three other town houses designed soon afterwards, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . In designating these sites, UNESCO explained: "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." The Hôtel Solvay , on

6052-566: The same year, he became director of the Fine Arts section of the Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts. In 1937, he completed the design of his final work, Brussels-Central railway station . In 1939, he began editing his memoirs. He died on 8 September 1947 and was interred in Ixelles Cemetery in Brussels. Art Nouveau fell out of fashion in the 20th century and many of Horta's buildings were abandoned, or even destroyed, most notably

6141-572: The title " Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels) ": Horta was commemorated on the Belgian 2000 franc banknote issued from 1994 until the introduction of the euro. On 6 January 2015, Google Doodle commemorated his 154th birthday. Architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with

6230-469: The title used varied depending on geographical location. They often carried the title of master builder or surveyor after serving a number of years as an apprentice (such as Sir Christopher Wren ). The formal study of architecture in academic institutions played a pivotal role in the development of the profession as a whole, serving as a focal point for advances in architectural technology and theory. The use of "Architect" or abbreviations such as "Ar." as

6319-596: The view from the Royal Palace , on the hill just above it. In 1927, Horta became the Director of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, a post he held for four years until 1931. In recognition of his work, Horta was awarded the title of Baron by King Albert I in 1932. In 1910, Horta began working on drawings on his most ambitious and longest running project: Brussels-Central railway station . He

6408-412: The world's architects are required to register with the appropriate jurisdiction. Architects are typically required to meet three common requirements: education, experience, and examination. Basic educational requirement generally consist of a university in architecture. The experience requirement for degree candidates is usually satisfied by a practicum or internship (usually two to three years). Finally,

6497-533: Was Guimard's Castel Béranger. In the same year, Guimard was selected to design the entrances of the new stations of the Paris Metro, making him the most prominent figure in the French Art Nouveau. Guimard also took the step, unusual at the time, of launching a public relations campaign based on the building, promoting the new style as a step forward. It was the first time that an architect treated

6586-464: 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

6675-427: Was a slight curving of the steel pillars supporting the roof. As with his houses, the building was designed to make a maximum use of light, with large skylights over the main meeting room. It was demolished in 1965, despite an international petition of protest by over 700 architects. The materials of the building were saved for possible reconstruction, but were eventually scattered around Brussels. Some parts were used for

6764-447: Was at the same time complex, in motion, and unified by its lines." There were many elements of the new building that were neo-Gothic, though Guimard's interpretation was very far from the pure 13th century style advocated by Viollet-le-Duc . It was suggested by the name Castel, rather than Hotel, and by its modern version of echauguettes , the overhanging turrets that were a feature on the corners of medieval castles. Guimard put into

6853-644: Was born in Ghent , Belgium, on 6 January 1861. His father was a master shoemaker, who, as Horta recalled, considered craftsmanship a high form of art. The young Horta began by studying music at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent . He was expelled for misbehavior and went instead to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. At the Ghent Conservatory, an aula is named after him today. When he

6942-494: Was built around an open central stairway. The interior decoration featured curling lines, modeled after vines and flowers, which were repeated in the ironwork railings of the stairway, in the tiles of the floor, in the glass of the doors and skylights, and painted on the walls. The building is widely recognized as one of the first appearances of Art Nouveau in architecture (along with the Hankar House by Paul Hankar , built at

7031-456: Was carried out by artisans —such as stone masons and carpenters—who rose to the role of master builders. Until modern times, there was no clear distinction between architect and engineer. In Europe, the titles architect and engineer were primarily geographical variations that referred to the same person, often used interchangeably. "Architect" derives from Greek ἀρχιτέκτων ( arkhitéktōn , "master builder," "chief tektōn ). It

7120-456: Was certainly more modest than the other houses, but it had its own original features and equally fine craftsmanship and mastery of details. He made unusual combinations of materials, such as wood, iron and marble in the staircase decoration. The novel element in Horta's houses and then his larger buildings was his search for maximum transparency and light, something often difficult to achieve with

7209-490: Was commissioned to design a home for the scientist and professor Émile Tassel. The Hôtel Tassel was completed in 1893. The stone facade, designed to harmonize with the neighboring buildings, was fairly traditional, but the interior was strikingly new. Horta used the technologies of glass and iron, which he had practiced on the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken , to create an interior filled with light and space. The house

7298-730: Was delayed until 1923. Its unusual design and layout attracted great interest from the European medical community, and his buildings continue in use to this day. In February 1915, as World War I was underway and Belgium was occupied , Horta moved to London and attended the Town Planning Conference on the Reconstruction of Belgium, organised by the International Garden Cities and Town Planning Association. Unable to return to Belgium, at

7387-431: Was formally commissioned as the architect in 1913, but work did not actually begin until after World War II , in 1952. It was originally planned that the station would just part of a much larger redevelopment project, which Horta had conceived in the 1920s, but this was never realized. The start of construction was seriously delayed due to the lengthy process of purchasing and demolishing over one thousand buildings along

7476-448: Was greatly influenced by the French architectural theorist Eugène Viollet-le-Duc , whose ideas he completely identified with. In 1925, he wrote: Since 1840, the theories of Viollet-le-Duc are a sharp, precise and constructive analysis of each element in architecture, bringing the whole of architecture to its absolute origin – a construction out of which any form of art can emerge. The major breakthrough for Horta came in 1892, when he

7565-460: Was nearly forgotten as an architect until the 1970s, when there was renewed interest in the Art Nouveau. The Castel Béranger was classified as an historical monument on 3 July 1972. 48°51′09″N 2°16′29″E  /  48.8524°N 2.2746°E  / 48.8524; 2.2746 Victor Horta Victor Pierre Horta ( French pronunciation: [viktɔʁ ɔʁta] ; Victor, Baron Horta after 1932; 6 January 1861 – 8 September 1947)

7654-459: Was seventeen, he moved to Paris and found work with the architect and designer Jules Debuysson . Horta's father died in 1880, and Horta returned to Belgium. He moved to Brussels and married his first wife, with whom he later fathered two daughters. He began to study architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. He became friends with Paul Hankar , another early pioneer of Art Nouveau architecture. Horta did well in his studies and

7743-476: Was taken on as an assistant by his professor Alphonse Balat , the architect to King Leopold II . Horta worked with Balat on the construction of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken in northern Brussels, Horta's first work to utilise glass and iron. In 1884, Horta won the first Prix Godecharle to be awarded for architecture for a proposed new building for the Belgian Parliament . On his graduation from

7832-571: Was that, since it matched the house, it could not be changed to any other style, without disrupting the harmony of the room. Horta and his first wife divorced in 1906. He married his second wife, Julia Carlsson, in 1908. In 1925, he was an architect of honor for the Belgian Pavilion at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, the exposition which gave its name to Art Deco . In

7921-413: Was the octagonal shape of the rooms, and the three facades with windows, designed to give maximum light. The owner originally wished to keep his original family furniture, but because of the odd shape of the rooms, Horta was commissioned to create new furniture. By 1948, Art Nouveau was out of style, the house was sold to a new owner, who wished to demolish it. A movement began to preserve the house, but in

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