Principles + Elements

Principles and elements of design are evident throughout Victor Horta’s House. Starting at the main entrance, LINES are used in the metal awning structure, forming squares above the door. Both straight and curved LINES are used in the design of the window of the door and the railings above the awning. REPETITION is evident in the railing, as is nearly bilateral symmetry on the door. When looking at the entire facade of the building, there is a stark CONTRAST between the main building material, stone, and the doors, window casings, and railings, which are golden. On the interior, all of the principles and elements are also present. The interior offers a bold sense of COLOR paired with intricate linework, creating a very BALANCED space. The interior works in HARMONY with the exterior by allowing natural LIGHT to flood in through the large windows. When paired with artificial lighting and several materials and colors, the Horta House is a perfect example of UNITY in a space.

Connections

As far as connections go, the Horta House offers both physical connections and social connections. The picture below features a physical connection of small square tiles connected by the application of grout placed between each of them. There are also many other physical connections, such as direct ones between wood and metal, that are used to form the building’s structure. We also see connections of lead came between two pieces of glass in many of the window patterns in the doors and stained-glass pieces. The social connection of the Horta House comes from the two distinct parts of the building design. The main entrance of the building leads to the house’s living quarters, where Victor Horta designed a space for him and his family to live day to day. He designed this space with an open floor plan, so his family could be open and create many shared experiences in the house. However, there is also a connecting studio on the left side of the house that he would use for work and to design new spaces. This area is less open and was used for focus.

Materials

Victor Horta uses a variety of materials in each of his designs, and the Horta House is no exception. One thing that identifies Victor Horta is that he always uses natural materials in his work. In the Horta House, some of the most notable materials he uses are wood, natural stone, plaster, and metal. For example, in his house, there is a door on a stair landing that uses wood elements to encase stained glass, held together by metal camming. The railing is also topped with a wooden handrail. These materials are used throughout the house in various ways while maintaining the integrity of their naturalism.

Light + Color

Light and color were very important aspects of Victor Horta’s design. With the Horta House, he aspired to create uniquely open spaces filled with light so his family could happily gather in various areas. To make this possible in a house constrained by closed roads on either side, he used many skylights throughout the design so sunlight could flow into the house and flood it with natural light. Artificial lighting is also important, as it elevates many spaces and highlights areas that may not receive as much natural light, keeping the house just as functional at night. The house’s colors are all warm-toned and mostly part of a semi-neutral palette. The colors include beiges, whites, yellows, and reds. Many of the colors pair with the light when the sun enters the interior through the stained-glass windows. Horta wanted the house to be a very warm, comfortable environment for his family to live in and for him to work in his studio.

Experience

Each element of the Horta House comes together to make the final experience of the space. Each individual’s experience may be unique, but they are all affected by Horta’s design decisions. The spiraling staircase, topped by a large skylight, heightens the sense of the space as a person starts on the ground floor and climbs the stairs. The large windows play a significant role in shaping the house’s experience. The Horta House also has many connections to nature that allow the user to feel connected to the exterior even when inside a house located directly on the street. The use of curves and a higher ceiling on the interior creates a sense of openness and fluidity.

Theories

Many theories are evident in the design of the Horta House. Some that are most notable theories are the theory of human-centered design and the sense of place. Everything in this house is designed for the family’s use and for Horta to use part of the house as his studio to create future designs. The house also has a distinctive sense of place, comparable to other Victor Horta designs. Aspects of the design that point to this sense include its intricacy, organic curves and unique forms, use of natural materials, open floor plans, and natural lighting.

Technology

Victor Horta had to use technology in the design of his house, as he wanted to create a very open space for his family to live in. To do this, he had to design the structure with stone and metal beams to support the open floor plan he wanted for most of the house. This can be seen on the exterior of the house, where a large metal beam runs across the joists between the first and second floors directly above the main door. This structure can also be seen in several places throughout the house.

Finishes

Many of the building’s finishes go hand in hand with the materials Horta chose to use. To reiterate, Victory Horta focused on using natural materials in his designs, such as wood, metal, and stone. Therefore, many finishes preserve these materials in their original state. For example, the wood elements highlight the grain and leave it with a very natural finish, rather than diminishing the material’s natural beauty. The same applies to the stone that makes up the facade, as well as the iron railing and beams seen on it.

Furnishings

Many of the furnishings in the Horta House are of Victor Horta’s own designs. Much of the house’s adornments are built into the architecture and are beautiful on their own. However, there are also normal pieces of furniture that the family had to use in day-to-day life. These included items such as the dining room table, beds, and various chairs. The furnishings all feature a very organic design that speaks to modernity at the time of their creation. As the house has now been converted into a museum, it features many aspects of Horta’s life and the designs he created. The designs that are not Horta’s own belong to designers of his time.

Telling Stories

The entirety of the house comes together to tell an overall story of Victor Horta, his life, his family, and his designs. The Horta House is unique and embodies all that Victor Horta stood for. The house is made of organic lines, open spaces, natural materials, and connections to nature. These were all things that Horta held deeply in his being and wanted showcased in his home. Furthermore, the house represents who Victor Horta was as a person: it is divided between a family residence and a studio, encapsulating the two sides of Horta and highlighting what he prioritized and valued. Looking back on Horta’s life, it is easy to see that both his family and his work were very important to him, as the Horta House showcases.

Links

• Victor Horta’s House & Studio: The Horta Museum | ArchEyes
• MY ARCHITECTURAL MOLESKINE®: VICTOR HORTA: HOUSE-STUDIO IN BRUSSELS
• Victor Horta Architecture, Bio, Ideas | TheArtStory
• Victor Horta’s House & Studio: The Horta Museum – Architect Lark
• Victor Horta: visit the home/studio of a Belgian Art Nouveau master | THE WORLD OF INTERIORS