Who and why ?
Jean-Jacques & Brigitte Evrard-Lauwereins
After studying graphics at the “75” in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Brussels), where they met, once graduated, Jean-Jacques and Brigitte Evrard-Lauwereins created their own design agency in 1976, which later specialized in packaging design. In 1994 they joined the French group Carré Noir, then in 1998 the international design group BrandImage.
In 2007, after more than 30 years in the service of brands, they created the Pentawards, the first international competition devoted solely to packaging design which, in just a few years, has become the world benchmark.
After 10 years of intense activity around the world, they sold the Pentawards to devote themselves to their passions, travel, art, design, Japan and architecture.
This site, dedicated solely to Art Nouveau in Belgium, follows their work carried out since 2020 on the development of the site admirable-facades.brussels, dedicated to the most beautiful buildings erected in the 20th century in Brussels.
It was in Belgium, and more particularly in Brussels, that the Art Nouveau style was born at the end of the 19th century, under the impetus of its most representative architect, Victor Horta. Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, Charleroi and other cities of the Belgian Kingdom are not to be outdone and also offer superb Art Nouveau creations. The renewed enthusiasm for this era has brought back to life today, some houses fallen into oblivion and disenchantment. Moreover, this year 2023 decreed in Brussels "Year of Art Nouveau".
The Art Nouveau period, in reaction to the 19th century reactionary classicism, saw the unbridled creativity of some revolutionary architects burst.
Belgium was, at that time, at the head of the industrialized countries in Europe, therefore rich. The big industrialists had mansions, villas and shops built to match their desires. Nothing was too beautiful or too innovative or too expensive. New construction techniques had appeared, metal structures, electricity, telephony, central heating. The new architects have integrated everything into their architectural creations.
The 1960s were unfortunately the scene of the destruction of remarkable buildings. The materials used, innovative at the time, have not always stood the test of time, ironwork, stained glass, sgraffiti were difficult to maintain in good condition. Real estate developers coveted these plots well located on the city’s beautiful arteries.
Fortunately, thanks to a few enthusiasts, to certain councilors respectful of the country's artistic heritage, magnificent examples of the work of these great architects, decorators, painters and sculptors have been saved, preserved and restored.
Here, you will find them by chance, by browsing the pages of this site, or by searching HERE according to your desires. Art Nouveau in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Charleroi, more than 200 admirable examples are currently listed. Each one with its address, the year of its realization, its characteristics and its position on the street map. And of course, with a maximum of photos.
The places available for visits are clearly indicated with a link to their booking site.
So all you have to do is discover the most admirable Art Nouveau creations in Belgium.
Good visit.