LABROUSTE, Henri

Following the July Revolution of 1830, new ideas emerged among the younger generation of architects, ideas relating not just to choice of style, but also to a rational, function-oriented design and use of materials. One of the most important representatives of this approach was Henri Labrouste, a product of the �cole des Beaux-Arts who turned against the dogmatism of his alma mater. The ground plan of his Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve was developed from pragmatic considerations. The large, two-aisle reading room, visible in the interior as a cast-iron structure, occupies the upper story. The spare decoration of the fa�ade in an Italian Renaissance style is subordinated to the effect of the cubic structural mass. Above the plinth-style ground floor, the apertures of the large pillared arcading are partly filled with inscription panels, corresponding to the bookshelves inside; they also help to articulate otherwise blank wall surfaces and illuminate the function of the building.

The photo shows a detail of the fa�ade.

Following the July Revolution of 1830, new ideas emerged among the younger generation of architects, ideas relating not just to choice of style, but also to a rational, function-oriented design and use of materials. One of the most important representatives of this approach was Henri Labrouste, a product of the �cole des Beaux-Arts who turned against the dogmatism of his alma mater. The ground plan of his Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve was developed from pragmatic considerations. The large, two-aisle reading room, visible in the interior as a cast-iron structure, occupies the upper story. The spare decoration of the fa�ade in an Italian Renaissance style is subordinated to the effect of the cubic structural mass. Above the plinth-style ground floor, the apertures of the large pillared arcading are partly filled with inscription panels, corresponding to the bookshelves inside; they also help to articulate otherwise blank wall surfaces and illuminate the function of the building.

The photo shows the reading room on the upper story.

Following the July Revolution of 1830, new ideas emerged among the younger generation of architects, ideas relating not just to choice of style, but also to a rational, function-oriented design and use of materials. One of the most important representatives of this approach was Henri Labrouste, a product of the �cole des Beaux-Arts who turned against the dogmatism of his alma mater. The ground plan of his Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve was developed from pragmatic considerations. The large, two-aisle reading room, visible in the interior as a cast-iron structure, occupies the upper story. The spare decoration of the fa�ade in an Italian Renaissance style is subordinated to the effect of the cubic structural mass. Above the plinth-style ground floor, the apertures of the large pillared arcading are partly filled with inscription panels, corresponding to the bookshelves inside; they also help to articulate otherwise blank wall surfaces and illuminate the function of the building.

The photo shows the reading room on the upper story.

Following the July Revolution of 1830, new ideas emerged among the younger generation of architects, ideas relating not just to choice of style, but also to a rational, function-oriented design and use of materials. One of the most important representatives of this approach was Henri Labrouste, a product of the �cole des Beaux-Arts who turned against the dogmatism of his alma mater. The ground plan of his Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve was developed from pragmatic considerations. The large, two-aisle reading room, visible in the interior as a cast-iron structure, occupies the upper story. The spare decoration of the fa�ade in an Italian Renaissance style is subordinated to the effect of the cubic structural mass. Above the plinth-style ground floor, the apertures of the large pillared arcading are partly filled with inscription panels, corresponding to the bookshelves inside; they also help to articulate otherwise blank wall surfaces and illuminate the function of the building.

The photo shows the reading room on the upper story.

Labrouste developed his design principles applied in the Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve further inn the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The cast iron supports have Corinthian capitals, but these supports are so thin that this is no more than a nod towards classical architecture.

The photo shows the reading room.

Labrouste developed his design principles applied in the Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve further inn the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The cast iron supports have Corinthian capitals, but these supports are so thin that this is no more than a nod towards classical architecture.

The photo shows the reading room (Salle Labrouste).

Labrouste developed his design principles applied in the Biblioth�que Sainte-Genevi�ve further in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The cast iron supports have Corinthian capitals, but these supports are so thin that this is no more than a nod towards classical architecture.

The photo shows the reading room (Salle Labrouste).