Brussels – The demolished facade of Victor Horta’s Hôtel Aubecq will be reconstructed as a construction training center, merging heritage with vocational education. The restoration will utilize over 600 stones stored in a Neder-over-Heembeek depot, aiming to inspire future architects and renovators, reports 24brussels.
The Hôtel Aubecq, an architectural creation of Horta, was opened in 1899 for industrialist Octave Aubecq on the Avenue Louise in Brussels. The building’s ownership was transferred in 1950 after Aubecq’s son sold it. The mid-20th century saw a shift toward modern architecture, leading to the displacement of Horta’s Art Nouveau design.
A former employee of Horta meticulously dismantled the facade to preserve it, securing governmental authorization for its storage. Advocate Jean Delhaye significantly contributed to the preservation efforts following Horta’s death in 1947. For the past 70 years, the facade’s remnants have moved between various depots in Brussels.
Restoration plans have included relocating the stones multiple times over the decades. The recent transfer marks an important step, with the facade set to be restored in the coming years as part of the Sint-Agatha-Berchem Heritage Network, aiming to make Horta’s work accessible through urban.brussels.
During a discussion in March 2024 focusing on improving the Hôtel Aubecq’s facade, industry representatives highlighted the project for a construction training center being developed in Sint-Agatha-Berchem. This center, initiated by Constructiv, the Belgian fund for the construction industry, will be located on Bigardstraat.
The relocation of stones from the Neder-over-Heembeek depot is planned for early July, with the reconstruction taking place in stages—first horizontally and then vertically. Sarah Lagrillière, deputy director of urban.brussels, commented on the partnership, stating, “75 years after the demolition of the Hôtel Aubecq and 25 years after the transfer of ownership of the façade to the Brussels Region, we are delighted to have the opportunity to highlight this unique heritage through a close partnership with the construction sector.”
Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Development and Heritage, Ans Persoons, added, “Thanks to this public-private partnership, we are preserving the history of this remarkable façade designed by Horta and encouraging young people to choose a career in heritage conservation or restoration.”
Techniques for Rebuilding the Hôtel Aubecq Facade
To facilitate the reconstruction, structured light 3D scanning technology has been employed to document and analyze the original stones. This process creates a detailed digital archive, preserving the stones’ textures and geometrical information before the physical reconstruction.
The stones will be meticulously restored in a horizontal position to allow artisans to study their original layout and condition prior to being set upright. A virtual 3D model is generated using software like Blender to enhance planning efforts, helping identify any missing pieces and visualize the intended final restoration.
Advanced techniques, including edge detection and compositing, will be utilized to fully inform restoration efforts and ensure precision in the rebuilding process.
