Clinging to the hillside on a quiet street in Forest, this masterpiece of Art Nouveau stands watch without saying a word… With its glazed bricks, hemicycle balcony and plant-based ironwork, this is Art Nouveau at its best, far from the hustle and bustle.
A façade like no other
There’s no sage symmetry or straight lines here. Architect Arthur Nelissen has clearly taken pleasure in the undulating façade, the mix of materials and the multiplicity of details. Built for himself in 1905, this house is not just a place to live, it’s a declaration of love to free architecture. Every nook and cranny seems to want to catch the light, catch the eye, tell a story. It’s everything we love about the Brussels version of Art Nouveau: controlled whimsy, an assumed art of ornament and that little extra touch of madness.
A masterpiece of Art Nouveau to slip into your outings.
You can’t visit it, no. But it can be admired from the sidewalk.
Nestled on Avenue du Mont Kemmel, a stone’s throw from Parc Duden, it’s well worth the detour, especially in the late afternoon, when the ceramics take on a golden glow.
It’s the kind of address we like to share with curious friends or Sunday strollers, a hidden house, a dazzling façade and a little corner of Brussels where Art Nouveau can be approached… without making too much noise.
What if this facade became your next excuse to explore the city in a different way?