Do you notice the inscription HOGUET at the top? This is Maison Hoguet. It stands as a remarkable example of industrial Art Deco architecture.
Maison Hoguet was built in 1928. The fabric company Hoguet commissioned architect Jean Ligo for its design. The building served multiple purposes. It housed the Hoguet family’s spinning and clothing workshops. It also contained their living apartments.
Jean Hoguet ran the company until 1970. As he had no heirs, he bequeathed Maison Hoguet to the town of Saint-Gilles. His wish was for it to become a cultural space.
Initially, the town’s music academy occupied the building. However, Maison Hoguet faced a threat. The metro construction endangered it. Fortunately, a residents’ committee saved it from destruction.
In 1997, the building was transformed. It became the Maison du Livre. This is a very active municipal library. The interior spaces were carefully preserved. The facade has been classified since 1998 and remains unaltered.
The Maison Hoguet’s style is Art Deco. It features geometric shapes and ornamentation. The design incorporates a mix of materials, textures, and colors. The building replaced three houses.
Look at the facade. It is symmetrical with five levels and five bays. The central bay is wider. Notice the roof with its sawtooth profile. These are called sheds. They are typical for industrial buildings. The structural elements are made of reinforced concrete.
Observe the ground floor. The central garage door is now a window. It is flanked by two grilled windows. Wrought iron adorns the two openwork doors. The upper angles of all openings are stepped.
The upper floors showcase pilasters. They are grooved and fluted. Windows have rectangular or polygonal shapes. The sills below them are also grooved. On the second level, three bow windows project. The lateral ones are trapezoidal. The central one is curved. Their sills feature polygonal panels with geometric motifs. The bow windows are topped by a terrace. A wrought-iron railing protects it. The railing displays a palmette motif.
Inside, original Art Deco furniture was lost. This happened during the recent transformation. However, some elements remain. In the ground floor, you can see partially preserved granito paneling. Stained-glass windows display geometric patterns. A beautiful ceiling light originally hung on the first floor.
On the first floor, the director’s former residence retains its parquet flooring and stained glass. A wooden spiral staircase leads to the upper levels. These levels are designed as a gallery around a large light well. Five sheds illuminate this space. Metal railings with diamond motifs surround the galleries.
Maison Hoguet stands as a testament to Brussels’ industrial past. It also shows the city’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. The Hoguet family’s legacy lives on. It lives on through this cultural landmark.