Maison Strauven
The small, colourful house at 28 rue Luther was designed by the architect Gustave Strauven (1878-1919).In 1902, when he completed the house of the painter de Saint Cyr, Strauven decided to build a house of the same type, in an architecture that we would describe today as "seaside style" because it was so popular at the time in the resorts of the Belgian coast, multiplying loggias, terraces and loggia-belvederes… Strauven opted for a corner plot in rue Luther.
In order to pay back his purchase from the City, he resold the extreme tip of the plot, reserving for himself only a piece of land at an obtuse angle 3.75 metres wide. In addition to its narrowness, the house is distinguished by the originality of its access: a cast iron gate in front of a loggia housing, in the manner of an English courtyard, the staircase to the half-basement and the staircase to the upper floor. For reasons of economy, the planned loggia was replaced by a rather unsightly brick balcony. However, the current owner, who obtained the protection of the property in 2004, was authorised to finally implement it to give the house all the dynamism of the original project.
Thanks to Olivier Berckmans who opens the doors of Strauven House for the occasion.
