Art Nouveau
Alright, let’s dive into the wild world of Art Nouveau architecture, where buildings don’t just stand—they swirl, flow, and pretty much look like they’re alive! Think of it like this: if nature and imagination had a love child, Art Nouveau would be it. Ready for a tour of the most iconic Art Nouveau masterpieces? Let’s go!
Hotel Tassel (Brussels, Belgium) – Victor Horta
If Art Nouveau had a birth place, it would be Victor Horta’s Hotel Tassel. This house is like the OG of Art Nouveau, and Horta didn’t just dabble – He went all out. Picture this: Iron railings that look like they’re growing vines, staircases look like flowing water, and sunlight filters through stained glass to make it feel like you’ve stepped into an enchanted forest. Basically, it’s a garden you can live in – except the flowers are made of metal and glass. Casual right?
Victor Horta wasn’t just building houses, though: This guy was creating whole worlds. His Hotel Tassel is like walking into a real life fairy tale. Those swirling staircases, how the glass panels catch the light in the most magical way, all enhancing that feel of a botanical wonderland. It is like nature crashed the architecture party and we are all invited.
The header image of this article is the Hotel Solvay, also by Victor Horta.
Casa Batllo (Barcelona, Spain) – Antoni Gaudí
Gaudi was like the ultimate architecture magician, and Casa Batllo was one of his craziest tricks. This is a building that looks like it was pulled straight out of a coral reef. The balconies? They look like skeletons (but in the coolest way), and the roof? A dragon’s spine.
The entire place looks like it is constantly moving -windows ripple, colours shift, it is as if the house is alive. Gaudi didn’t just think outside the box, he threw the box out of the window.
Paris Metro Entrances (Paris, France) – Hector Guimard
Ever noticed how some of Paris’s metro entrances look like they belong in an enchanted forest?
That is Hector Guimard‘s doing. These entrances are basically giant metal plants, twisting and curving, inviting you down to the subway like you’re entering a magical underground world. It is hard to feel grumpy about your commute when the entrance makes you feel like you’re about to meet some woodland fairies.
The Grand Palais (Paris, France) – Charles Girault and Friends
Looking for something epic? The Grand Palais in Paris is part greenhouse, part palace, and 100% awesome. This massive exhibition hall has a glass roof so big that you will expect to see birds lying around inside. And the interior is all about that Art Nouveau flourish, with its organic, floral details.
It’s like someone made a giant greenhouse and said, “Let’s make this fancy enough for an Emperor”
Secession Building (Vienna, Austria) – Joseph Maria Olbrich
The Secession Building is Vienna’s way of saying “We are going rogue!” This sleek, has a giant golden dome made of laurel leaves that makes it look like someone crowned it. And inside? All the natural forms, floral details and artsy weirdness you could ever want. It’s like the architecture equivalent of a rebel artist who wears a beret and only drinks artisanal coffee. Tres chic!
Majolikahaus (Vienna, Austria) – Otto Wagner
Otto was all “Why make a boring apartment block when you can make it fabulous?”
Enter Majolikahaus, where the whole facade is covered in tiles painted with bright floral designs. It’s basically like someone turned a giant apartment building into a garden mural. Imagine living there and telling your friends “Yeah my home is literal work of art!
Palau de la Musica Catalana (Barcelona, Spain) – Lluis Domènech i Montaner
This isn’t just a concert hall—it’s an experience. The Palau de la Musica Catalana looks like a jewel box exploded. Outside, it’s got mosaics, sculptures, and so much colour you might need sunglasses. Inside, the ceiling is shaped like a sun and lets light pour in like you’re inside a kaleidoscope. Honestly, you’ll be so distracted by the building, you might forget to listen to the music.
Museum of Applied Arts (Budapest, Hungary) – Ödön Lechner
Odon Lechner was Hungary’s answer to Gaudi, and his Museum of Applied Arts is proof. The building is covered in crazy colourful tiles and has a roof that shimmers in gold and green like some kind of treasure chest. It’s got folk art vibes mixed with Art Nouveau and somehow it just works! The whole thing just feels like it should be home to a princess or wizard. Budapest, you look fancy and fabulous!
Villa Majorelle (Nancy, France) – Henri Sauvage and Lucien Weissenburger
Imagine your dream house if your dream house had wavy lines, iron balconies that look like they grew there, and woodwork so beautiful you’d actually stop to stare at the door frame. That’s the Villa Majorelle in Nancy. It’s the perfect little Art Nouveau house, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a place where the architecture feels like it’s always spring?
La Sagrada Família (Barcelona, Spain) – Antoni Gaudi
Ok, so La Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress (and has been since 1882!), but come on- this one is Iconic. Gaudi went full on Art Nouveau-meets-gothic in this basilica. It’s like a stone forest where everything grows towards the sky. The interior is even crazier, with columns that reach the sky and a ceiling that seems to go on forever. It’s like a cathedral from a fantasy world, and it’s no wonder it is one of the most visited spots in the world.
In a Nutshell
Art Nouveau was all about breaking the rules and letting creativity run wild. Whether it is Gaudi’s dragon shaped buildings or Horta’s flowing staircases, these structures didn’t just raise the bar- they turned architecture into art. So next time you see a swirly-nature inspired building, tip your hat to the geniuses of Art Nouveau who made the world a whole lot more magical.
Art Nouveau in 3DX
So far I haven’t spotted any Art Nouveau builds in 3DX, (that doesn’t mean there aren’t any) But do you know what? Challenge accepted! I am so ready for it. I am sure some builders have already nailed that vibe! There are tons of hints to the style, some with the use of stained panes of glass, and how buildings end up feeling kind of magical. With all of the awesome builders I’ve come across, I know it’s 100% doable. Let’s make this happen!
Do you know about Art Nouveau builds that you’d like to see featured in the gazette? Let us know.
By Eskarina