Municipal project 1876 (≈ 1876)
Created by the Roubaix Municipal Council.
1881
Initial Foundation
Initial Foundation 1881 (≈ 1881)
Date often cited as the origin of the school.
1889
Inauguration of ENAI
Inauguration of ENAI 1889 (≈ 1889)
Construction by Ferdinand Dutert under this name.
1921
Become an ENSAIT
Become an ENSAIT 1921 (≈ 1921)
Textile specialization and new official name.
1989
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 1989 (≈ 1989)
Additional inventory of facades and decorations.
2022
Integration at the University of Lille
Integration at the University of Lille 2022 (≈ 2022)
Becoming an institution-component of the new university.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Main building body and wings in return (except north building and glass roof covering the courtyard of honour) either: facades and roofs, including ceramic bas-reliefs on east façade, halls, galleries, stairs with their decor and statues; library and its decor; amphitheatre and its decor; the three gardens with their sculptures (located to the north, south and east); grid closing the whole on the Place des Martyrs-de-la-Resistance (cad. LX 94): inscription by decree of 17 February 1989
Key figures
Ferdinand Dutert - Architect
Manufacturer of the main building in 1889.
Eugène Motte - Industrial patron
Named the school "our wool school" around 1920.
Origin and history
The École nationale supérieure des arts et industries textiles (ENSAIT) was founded in 1889 as the École nationale des arts industriels (ENAI) in Roubaix, in northern France. It is designed by architect Ferdinand Dutert to centralize municipal textile schools, an industrial museum and a library, responding to the needs of a rapidly expanding city. The property is listed in the additional inventory of historical monuments for its architecture and decor, including bas-reliefs, halls and gardens.
Originally, ENAI offers various teachings: decorative arts, mechanics, physics, chemistry, dyeing and weaving. Around 1910, she specialized in textiles, becoming a renowned "textile university". In 1921, it took the name of ENSAIT and devoted itself exclusively to the training of engineers for the French textile industry, forming today 60% of the professionals in the sector. Its status changes with educational reforms, from public administrative establishments (1989) to scientific and cultural institutions (2003).
ENSAIT plays a key role in textile innovation, notably through its GEMTEX laboratory, combined with competitiveness poles such as UP-TEX. His research leads to major advances, such as a luminous textile for phototherapy (2013) or the exploration of electrochrome materials (2015). The school joined the University of Lille in 2022, strengthening its regional anchor. His association of former students, AIANSAIT (founded in 1887), federates 3,500 members in 40 countries, promoting the professional network and image of the school.
The building, located in Place des Martyrs-de-la-Resistance, is distinguished by its facades decorated with ceramics, decorated stairs, and classified gardens. The protected elements include the library, the amphitheater, and the entrance gate, witnesses to its architectural and educational heritage. ENSAIT remains a key player in textile higher education in France, combining historical heritage and innovation.
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