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Art Nouveau Architecture & Interior Design

Art Nouveau architecture was concerned with modernity and urbanity. Architects concentrated their work in large European cities, Glasgow, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Paris and Barcelona. In the US they built in New York, Chicago and St Louis. Although the buildings still stand many Art Nouveau architects are long forgotten.

Art Nouveau architects were concerned with designing interior and exteriors to produce a united whole. Modern material such cast iron and glass were combined to allow light and airy structures and heavy decoration. Building exteriors had smooth rounded corners, asymmetrical faces and heavy decoration and ornamentation based on twisting organic plant forms. Building interiors were colour co-ordinated with carefully considered detailing and specially designed furniture.

Victor Horta, a Belgian Architect was the first to design buildings in the Art Nouveau style. Most of his work was unique and he attracted huge commissions from wealthy clientele.

In Paris Hector Guimard was the leading architect of Art Nouveau style. He is best known for his entrances to the Paris Metro. In other parts of Paris obscure and long forgotten architects have designed and built Art Nouveau facades to many shops, cafes and restaurants.

Charles Rennie Macintosh, worked mainly in Glasgow produced elegant Art Nouveau architecture. He is best known for his designs for four tea rooms and the Glasgow School of Art.

Over in Barcelona, Gaudi made his original contributions to the Art Nouveau movement just as it was starting to decline in other parts of the continent. His most influential work being the Sagrada Familia cathedral, still imcomplete at his death in 1926. He also designed an apartment block and Parc Guel, decorated throughout with broken pieces of brightly coloured pottery.

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