Six Iconic Art Deco Buildings Still Shaping Europe’s Urban Soul
Six remarkable buildings across Europe, each a testament to the Art Deco movement, continue to captivate and inspire. From Brussels to Madrid, these structures showcase the era's confidence, clarity, and innovative spirit.
In Brussels, Villa Empain, built in 1934 by Michel Polak, exemplifies geometric purity and symmetry. Now, it hosts exhibitions and residencies under the Boghossian Foundation. Meanwhile, Paris' Palais de la Porte Dorée, a masterclass in Art Deco, blends symmetry with exoticism. Today, it houses the National Museum of the History of Immigration.
London's Hoover Building, designed for the American vacuum cleaner giant, dazzles with its brilliant white façade. It serves as an industrial manifesto, a symbol of progress and modernity. In Porto, Casa de Serralves combines rigorous volumes with delicate tones, offering a harmonious interior designed to the smallest detail. La Piscine in Roubaix, a former municipal swimming pool, combines hygiene with elegance, providing a spectacular atmosphere for sculptures. Madrid's Edificio Carrión stands as an icon on the Gran Vía, embodying the city's modernity with its rounded corner and horizontal bands.
These six buildings, each unique yet united by their Art Deco heritage, have profoundly marked Europe's urban landscape. They stand as reminders of an era confident in progress, eager for prestige, and devoted to formal clarity.