Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house at 2 rue François-Mansart in Toulouse is an emblematic work of Art Deco architecture, built in the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. It perfectly embodies the "shipboard" style, in vogue in the 1930s, characterized by horizontal bays in the upper part, smooth surfaces, and a marked port-à-false game, supported by stilts. Details, such as geometric tiles or neat ironwork, reflect the influence of the modern art of the time, adapted to a Toulouse residential context in search of innovation.

Awarded to architect Jean-Louis Gilet, this achievement is distinguished by its balance between bold modernism and more moderate aesthetic concessions. The preserved elements, such as the chimneys and the gate ironwork grids, underline this duality. The house, fully protected by a 2010 registration order, is evidence of the early adoption of avant-garde currents in a city traditionally rooted in its historical heritage.

The building is part of a broader urban and architectural renewal movement that marked Toulouse in the inter-war period. The art Deco, with its clean shapes and modern materials, has found a favorable ground there, especially for residential constructions intended for a bourgeoisie in search of distinction. This house is a representative example, combining functionality and aesthetics, while integrating innovative constructive techniques for the time.

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