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Brussels: an architectural mosaic

Brussels: an architectural mosaic
House of Bellone Baroque Style By Patrick Despoix — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

Updated September 26, 2024 by Pierre

Brussels is not only the beating heart of Europe; it is also a city where history and modernity blend harmoniously. This is evident in the mix of architectural styles that create a unique cityscape. In this blog, you will take a stroll through the streets of Brussels, ideal for finding inspiration for your own home! Ready? Let’s go!

Gothic

The historic core of Brussels is dominated by magnificent examples of Gothic architecture. The Grand Place, the vibrant heart of the city, is surrounded by majestic town halls and the imposing city hall. This illustrates the importance of Brussels during the Middle Ages.

Baroque


Not far away, on the Place du Sablon, we discover the Church of Our Lady of the, a clear example of the transition between Gothic and Baroque. The richly decorated interiors and elegant facades of the Sablon show how important the Baroque style was and still is in Brussels. Discover here the Template

Art Nouveau


When we think of Brussels, we often think of Art Nouveau. It is Victor HortaMore who introduced this style, characterized by organic shapes, graceful lines and innovative materials such as glass and iron, at the end of the 19th century in Brussels. Until today, Horta remains a great source of inspiration for many architects. Several of his buildings, such as the Horta Museum, are even part of the UNESCO World Heritage, attracting many international tourists to our capital.

MIM Musical Instrument Museum (c) Pierre Halleux
MIM Musical Instrument Museum, Art Nouveau Style (c) Pierre Halleux

Fine Arts


Shortly afterwards, the Beaux-Arts style, which originated in France, found its way to Brussels. The impressive façades of the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar) and the Palais de Justice are good examples of this monumental style that expresses grandeur and elegance. This impressive style fits perfectly with the function of the buildings.

Modernism and Brutalism


The 20th century brought radical changes in architecture, also in Brussels. Modernism, with its focus on functionality and simplicity, is perfectly manifested in the Flagey building, formerly a radio station, now transformed into a cultural centre. Brutalism, with its emphasis on raw concrete constructions and functional aesthetics, can be found in particular on the VUB campus in Etterbeek. The cubic blocks, rhythmic façade panels and raw concrete staircases are recognisable from afar.

City of the future


Brussels continues to develop and renew itself. It is a breeding ground for innovative ideas for housing, where sustainability is increasingly at the centre of concerns. Renovation or new construction projects such as co-housing and sustainable urban developments are very common in the streets of Brussels. In these buildings, modern materials such as wall panels.

In addition, a vinyl floor is a very popular choice in modern buildings in Brussels. Such materials help to find a perfect balance between aesthetics, comfort and respect for the environment.

TONDO STREET OF LOUVAIN (c) Pierre HALLOUS
TONDO STREET OF LOUVAIN (c) Pierre HALLOUS