Auguste
Brion realized that mansion, formerly intended for
himself.
The structure combines a wooden framework to reinforced concrete walls, meanwhile the street elevation is of ashlar.
The
façades show a great plasticity, as well as the
iron works of the foreyard.
The vault's
intrados that sustains the balcony in the central bay is sculptured with irises,
the beloved art nouveau's flower. The
iron doors are adorned with
lilies.
The naturalistic decor meets a more geometric one ("buttons", witnessing the viennese Secession influence) under the cornice.
The fore-part at right hosts a
winter garden which was surmounted since 1908 by an iron veranda lit by stained glass windows.
Art nouveau is also present inside the house, with stuccos, wainscoting, etc... which have nothing to owe to the beauty of the façades.
The stairwell is lit (on the backside) by a stained glass
window with irises.
The plan itself is innovating as the rooms are organized around an octogonal hall (showing a belgian influence:
i. e. hôtels Tassel & Eetvelde in Brussels, by Horta), giving the evidence that this building is truly art nouveau, and probably the only one remaining in Strasbourg.
Bibliography:
- File "Architecture 1900" by the Ecole d'Architecture at the Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles, Strasbourg
- Scheduling file at the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques, Strasbourg
- Database Mérimée
- PERILLON M.-C. Clins d'oeil 1900 à Strasbourg in La Maison d'Alsace, may-june 1977, pp. 47-58.
- GROTRIAN S. Art Nouveau architecture in Strasbourg in The Connoisseur, october 1978, pp. 88-97
- STURM F. Autour de 1900 in Bulletin de la Faculté des Lettres de Strasbourg, may-june 1968, pp. 767-769
- SAGNON F. La villa Brion totalement Jugendstil in L'Alsace, découvertes et passions, nº20 (décembre2001-janvier2002), pp.76-79.