Victor Horta’s Tassel House: A Pioneer of Art Nouveau Architecture
Victor Horta’s Tassel House (1892-1893)
A Pioneer of Art Nouveau Architecture
Location: 6 rue Paul Emile Janson (formerly 12 rue Turin), Brussels
Architect: Victor Horta
The Tassel House is widely considered the first true example of Art Nouveau architecture, characterized by its innovative use of materials, decorative motifs, and spatial organization.
The Plant
Breaking from traditional design, the Tassel House features a long, narrow, almost rectangular floor plan. This unconventional layout is achieved through the use of a metal frame, allowing for open spaces and load-bearing walls.
The building is divided into three distinct sections:
- The street-facing facade
- The garden-facing section
- A central, glass-covered steel structure connecting the two
This innovative use of glass introduces natural light into the interior, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
Spatial Organization
Horta’s design emphasizes a dialogue between the flexibility of iron and the solidity of stone, a hallmark of his architectural style. He incorporated a reception room at the entrance for Mr. Tassel and an internal terrace on the first floor overlooking a light well. This terrace was likely used for projecting films, a testament to Horta’s forward-thinking approach.
Facade
The facade of the Tassel House breaks with typical Brussels residential architecture. The entrance is positioned off-center, leading to a long hallway. Horta strategically placed the central corridor and a light shaft in the middle of the house.
The facade’s central body features an overhang and numerous bays with distinctive details. Its curved glass surface adds movement and dynamism, harmonizing with the rest of the wall. While generally conservative, the facade hints at the innovative design within.
Interior Space
The interior is characterized by its light, bright, and original features. The flexible layout allows for a rich expression of space, creating an organic and dynamic atmosphere that departs from traditional design. Horta’s attention to color and light creates a comfortable and elegant environment designed on a human scale.
Construction Materials
The Tassel House showcases a variety of materials, with a particular emphasis on the sincere treatment of iron. Horta leaves the iron’s assembly systems and rivets exposed, highlighting its aesthetic and decorative qualities. This approach extends to other materials like marble, onyx, bronze, and tropical woods.
Supporting Elements
- The front facade features a plastic, dynamic wall with a nearly eliminated central ledge.
- Slender, cast-iron columns serve as both structural supports and decorative elements.
- Traditional stone columns are incorporated on the first floor.
Sustainable Elements
The roof features a metal beam structure, creating a delicate, almost ethereal appearance reminiscent of butterfly wings.
Decorative Elements
The decor is characterized by large, curved, and undulating lines inspired by organic forms. These graceful and dynamic lines are distributed asymmetrically, creating a sense of movement and flow. The decorative elements extend to even the smallest details, completing the overall aesthetic.
Influence and Significance
The Tassel House marked a turning point in architecture, ushering in the Art Nouveau movement. Its innovative design and use of materials influenced architects like Hector Guimard in France. The house served as a status symbol for the wealthy middle class and solidified Victor Horta’s position as a leading figure in Art Nouveau.
In 2000, the Tassel House was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its significant contribution to architectural history and its enduring legacy as a masterpiece of Art Nouveau design.