Maison Devalck

Why did Gaspard Devalck build a house on a tricky, triangular plot? Here at Maison Devalck, the answer unfolds. Maison Devalck isn’t just another Brussels building. It’s a testament to a son’s love for his mother, a local architect Gaspard Devalck designed this Art Nouveau gem in 1900. It’s said he built it for his mother on this unconventional plot in Rue André Van Hasselt. He later added his own studio next door, uniting the two structures. The restored facade, a combination of white stone, blue stone, and red bricks, topped by a carved wood cornice, earned the First Prize of the Heritage Prize of Schaerbeek in 2020. Notice the horseshoe-shaped cellar window, guarded by a wrought-iron grille, and the floral sgraffito above the shining entrance. The true showstoppers are the stained-glass windows, likely crafted by Raphael Evaldre, known for his collaborations with Victor Horta. A heron among reeds graces the lower window, while the upper bay window displays a bird and blue irises bathed in pink light, complemented by Japanese-style clouds. Maison Devalck isn’t just a pretty face. Inside, original features abound, from the kitchen furniture to the timber paneling and ceramic tiles in the first-floor rooms. Stained-glass doors celebrate the female form with their flowing curves, a surprising blend of Art Nouveau and neo-renaissance. The current owners, Thomas Vandormael and Anne Moermans, fell in love with the house and its history. They see it as their duty to share Maison Devalck’s unique atmosphere, opening it to the public for events like the BANAD Festival. Maison Devalck reminds us that art should be lived and experienced by everyone, not just a privileged few.