Villa Empain, Art Deco cultural center in Solbosch, Belgium
Villa Empain is an Art Deco residence in Brussels featuring marble-clad walls, teak woodwork, and geometric patterns in its rooms and hallways. The property includes a spacious interior courtyard with a swimming pool and multiple spaces decorated with refined architectural details.
A Belgian baron commissioned this residence in 1931 as a private home, designed by a prominent architect of the time. Decades later it was transformed into a cultural institution and is now protected as a heritage site.
The foundation running this villa today organizes exhibitions and cultural events that bring together artists and audiences interested in contemporary art. The space serves as a meeting point for creative dialogue and cultural exchange among its visitors.
The site is open to visitors for exploring the architecture and attending exhibitions and cultural events held throughout the year. Check ahead for current programming, as hours and activities change depending on what is being presented.
After decades of decay, the building underwent a complete restoration and received a prestigious European heritage award in 2011. This major conservation effort saved the structure from permanent deterioration and brought it back to life as a cultural venue.
Location: City of Brussels
Inception: December 24, 1929
Architects: Michel Polak
Architectural style: Art Deco
Operator: Boghossian Foundation
Website: https://villaempain.com
GPS coordinates: 50.80750,4.38431
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
Brussels offers photographers a range of architectural subjects spanning several centuries. The medieval Grand-Place forms the historic center, while Art Nouveau buildings such as the Musée Horta and Maison Cauchie document the artistic flourishing around 1900. The Atomium, built for the 1958 World's Fair, represents postwar modernism and has become one of the city's most photographed landmarks. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert ranks among Europe's oldest covered shopping arcades and displays the elegant construction techniques of the 19th century. The Mont des Arts connects different neighborhoods through a terraced garden with views over the old town. Parc du Cinquantenaire features neoclassical triumphal arches, while the Porte de Hal remains the last surviving medieval city gate. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Koekelberg shows Art Deco influences in its monumental architecture. Quieter spots include the Étangs d'Ixelles, two ponds in the neighborhood of the same name, or the Forêt de Soignes, an extensive beech forest on the city's edge. Avenue Louise connects residential and commercial districts through various architectural styles. Smaller passages such as Galerie Bortier or Passage du Nord complement the major arcades. Rue des Bouchers is known for its restaurant facades, while Rue de la Cigogne features historic townhouses. Photographically interesting details include the Art Nouveau metro station Pannenhuis or the modernist Bâtiment CBR. The Château de Laeken serves as a royal residence and opens to visitors only during the annual opening of the Serres Royales. Le Botanique, a former botanical garden, now houses a cultural center. Place Royale and the adjacent Palais Royal form the political heart of the city. Smaller squares like Place Flagey offer local scenes away from the main routes.
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