2 | The Victorian Era and Art Nouveau

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The Victorian Era has made a name for itself from its “unapologetic devotion to ornament and flourish” (Hohenadel, 2022), and is one of the more well-known periods in British history. Although the era itself is categorised in the public eye by popular examples in modern media – for example the classic horror film Victorian mansion setting – the architecture had many influences through the decades.

For example, Neo-gothic, or Gothic Revival, appeared in the 18th century and the old architectural elements leaked through with newer construction methods and materials. Italianate architecture was also popular during this time, bringing in elements of “Italian charm” (Hohenadel, 2023) such as a hipped roofing style, arched bay windows, and inclusion of belvederes or towers.

Another prominent architectural movement appeared within the Victorian era was Art Nouveau. While it was short-lived, the movement produced some of the most unique and recognisable art and architecture still revered today. Art Nouveau was iconic for its organic shapes and floral motifs, idolising nature and symbolism over realism and practicality.

Architects such as Paul Hankar and Victor Horta are credited with the beginning of the movement, going on to design Maison A Niguet and Hôtel Tassel, both situated in Brussels. Hôtel Tassel is often credited with being the first Art Nouveau building, a residence built for a colleague.

Figure 1: AINSWORTH, Alan John. (2015) The Hotel Tassel, 6, Rue Paul-Emile Jansonstraat, Brussels, Belgium, 2015. [photograph]

For my restaurant, I planned to reference Art Nouveau architecture in combination with the crooked walls and windows of Diagon Alley. After looking at the key features in Art Nouveau architecture, I could now recognise influences of the zeitgeist on restaurants photographed in Limehouse, including elaborately shaped streetlight casings and fonts used for business names above doors.

I had a lot of creative elements to work from, including the revival of stained glass, bay windows, intricate iron railings, and the juxtaposition of linear and flowing shapes.

A third architectural inspiration comes from traditional Chinese pagodas, the oldest surviving one has endured the rise and fall of dynasties, with first construction beginning in 916 - the Liao Dynasty.  They were originally built as Buddhist temples, recognisable by their tiered structure and curved roofs.

For me these buildings represent history, a longevity that feels eternal, this building was here before I was born and will likely be here after I am gone. It is important to me that I bring in this influence, despite it not being Victorian-English architecture. If I am to design a Chinese-English restaurant, I feel it should have influences from both cultures.

Figure 2: FONG, Charlie. (2019). The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, Ying County, Shanxi province, China. is a wooden Chinese pagoda built during the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty. [photograph]

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REFERENCES

HOHENADEL, Kristin. (2022). What Is Victorian Architecture? [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/victorian-architecture-4769162 thespruce

HOHENADEL, Kristin. (2023) What Is Italianate Architecture? [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/italianate-architecture-4846180 thespruce

MANCO, Jean. (2013) Art Nouveau (1890-1915) [online] Available at: https://www.buildinghistory.org/style/nouveau.shtml buildinghistory.org

SAXENA, Shevi. (2021) The Wizarding World meets Architectural world [online] Available at:  https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/fun-architecture/a4339-the-wizarding-world-meets-architectural-world/. Rethinking The Future

BOKEL, Bonsart. (2021) The History of Art Nouveau Architecture and Design | From Horta to Guimard. [YouTube user-generated content] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG9-Mk_uVVY Radio Retrofuture, Youtube.

PUISIS, Erica. (2023) What Is Gothic Revival Architecture? [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-gothic-revival-architecture-5323849 thespruce

CLERICUZIO, Peter. (2017) Victor Horta Artist Overview and Analysis. [online] Available at: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/horta-victor/#pnt_1  The Art Story Contributors

SUKHADWALA, Sejal. (2018) How Long Have Londoners Been Eating Chinese Food For? [online] Available at: https://londonist.com/london/how-london-got-a-taste-for-chinese-food Londonist

CHINACULTURE. (n.d.) Sakyamuni Pagoda at Fogong Temple [online] Available at: https://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/15/content_34464.htm#. Chinaculture.org

CHINESE TEMPLE. (2021) What is the Importance of the Pagoda in Chinese Culture [online] Available at: https://chinese-temple.com/blogs/chinese-temple-blogs/what-is-the-importance-of-the-pagoda-in-chinese-culture Chinese Temple

Figure 1: AINSWORTH, Alan John. (2015) The Hotel Tassel, 6, Rue Paul-Emile Jansonstraat, Brussels, Belgium, 2015 [online image] https://www.heritage-images.com/preview/2678946?page-source=search heritage images

Figure 2: FONG, Charlie. (2019). Pagodaoffogongtemple2019. [online image] Available at: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagoda_of_Fogong_Temple#/media/File:Pagodaoffogongtemple2019.jpg Wikimedia Commons