Brussels the City of Architects, with the exhibition Alexis & C°

In memory of leading urbanisation projects that shaped the European capital, the third episode of the Bruxelles Ville d’Architectes saga, the Alexis & C° exhibition is dedicated to Alexis Dumont, known for his many monumental creations in the modernist style. A perfect occasion to rediscover this « starchitect », who graduated from the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts.

Alexis & C°, a vision of architecture

Conceived and put together by ARCHistory, with the support of Urban Brussels, it recalls the saga of this family focused on architecture, whose son pursued the grandiose work of his father, between 1914 and 1958. Amongst other creations, we owe him the edification of the Law and Philosophy and Literature faculties, ULB, the Institut des Arts et Métiers as well as the Citroën-Bénélux garage, renamed Kanal-Centre Pompidou.

Having previously sheltered the Shell company, the building, renamed Central Gate, comprises offices, boutiques and an auditorium. © DR

Amongst the frescoes of Ravenstein Galerie, the one of Apollo and his Muses takes up an entire wall. © ARCHistory

Patrimonial Tourism

The event focuses on the Ravenstein Galery, the Shell and Trieste buildings and the Feb headquarters, 4 midtown landmarks spanning more than 700 meters of facade. These buildings formed a coherent venue in the new business district, at a time when Brussels underwent deep transformations to take on the allure of the bustling metropolish we enjoy so much.

Cathedral of glass and steel, the former headquarters of Citroën, in Brussels, were transformed into a cultural venue. © DR