During the official book launch of Joseph Diongre 1878-1963. Le style Beau-Arts à l'épreuve du modernisme / On Fine Arts and Modernism' in Flagey, authors Herman Mennekens and Axel De Backer have released details about 3 upcoming Diongre walks in Schaerbeek, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Sint-Gillis, Vorst. The authors of the book will comment on the walks themselves.
The book launch was an initiative of the Willemfonds Brussels Region and publisher Bitbook in collaboration with urban.brussels and in the presence of a representative of the cabinet of the Brussels Secretary of State responsible for Heritage, Pascal Smet. Due to the commercial success of this publication, the publisher has already announced a reprint of the book.
Buy the book : https://www.bitbook.be/collections/frontpage/products/joseph-diongre-1878-1963
The first architecture walk is scheduled for early September in Schaerbeek. Afterwards there are walks in Sin-Jans-Molenbeek, Vorst and Sint-Gillis.
- Schaerbeek, Eclecticism and Art Nouveau
Eclecticism - the combination of characteristics of different architectural styles or art movements into a graceful whole - is one of the frequently used architectural styles of architect Diongre. Subtle Art Nouveau influences also adorn some of his buildings in Schaerbeek, a municipality where he realized many projects, and where he was also praised several times for his stylish achievements.
Sunday 04 September 2022 at 14:30 pm. Meet at the main entrance of Schaerbeek town hall, Place Collignon.
- Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Modernism and a Garden District
The modernist church designed by Diongre marks the skyline of the heart of the municipality. He also had a privileged relationship with Molenbeek - already in full expansion in the first half of the 20th century. He also designed numerous social housing units and a picturesque Garden District that bears his name to this day.
Sunday September 25, 2022 at 14:30 pm. Appointment at the main portal of the St. Jan-de-Doperkerk, Gemeenteplein.
- Vorst and Saint-Gilles, social housing and Art Deco.
Diongre's clients were very diverse: local authorities, social cooperatives, artists, politicians and wealthy citizens. In Saint-Gilles, Diongre designed robust social housing units, equipped with contemporary comfort, while in Vorst he designed some remarkable, bourgeois Art Deco houses.
Sunday 23 October 2022 at 14:30 pm. Appointment at the main portal of Saint Augustine's Church, 'Hoogte Honderdplein', Vorst.
Practical:
Participation price: 5 EUR pp (-18 years: free)
Registration is required via suzanne.terhaar@willemfonds.be at least 1 week before the walk.
The walks each last approximately 2 hours and are concluded with a drink, offered by the Willemsfonds and publisher Bitbook.