The Brussels government on Wednesday classified several wings of the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
The Janlet wing, completed in 1905, has been classified as a historic monument, and the Vestel wing as well as the Geological Service of Belgium have been included on the list of sites to be preserved, announced Ans Persoons, Brussels Secretary of State in charge of Heritage, during an on-site visit. Now the entire building is protected.
The Janlet wing, designed by the architect of the same name, Émile Janlet, was built between 1898 and 1906. It actually constitutes an extension of the existing wing of the former Redemptorist monastery. In 1891, during the official opening of the museum, the architect was responsible for designing this extension and carrying out its construction. The wing, in Flemish neo-Renaissance style, is characterized by the use of visible natural materials, notably iron and glass, which serve as innovative elements.
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Furthermore, at the initiative of Ms. Persoons, the regional government included the Vestel wing on the protection list, as well as the building of the Geological Service of Belgium. Although it is not a complete classification, this protective measure offers the possibility of carrying out future developments, particularly in terms of the furniture and interior architecture of the buildings located rue Vautier and rue Jenner. The site still houses numerous laboratories, making these renovations all the more important.
The Vestel wing was designed by Lucien De Vestel, born in Ixelles in 1902 and from a family of architects. Unlike the Janlet wing, it is modernist in style. The interior, in particular, is imposing and is part of “a total work of artâ€: the architect designed both the interior design and the building itself. The facades are decorated with sober materials and ceramics in Inside, we mainly discover red marble, oak woodwork and kambala wood doors. The furniture designed by Lucien De Vestel is also preserved there: armchairs, conference table, desks, cupboards, etc.
Belgium – Photo : BX1
