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Key figures

Origin and history

The Génin-Louis building, located at the corner of Saint-Jean and Bénit streets in Nancy, is the first apparent metal frame building partially dedicated to housing. Commanded by Jules Genin and his wife Camille Louis, grain merchants, he was designed between 1900 and 1901 by polytechnic engineer Henri Gutton, assisted by his nephew Henry Gutton. The riveted steel structure, supplied by Fould Dupont de Pompey, was mounted by Frédéric Schertzer, while the ceramic decorative elements were made by Alexandre Bigot and the glass windows by Jacques Grüber. This building embodies the synthesis between industrial functionality and Art Nouveau aesthetics, characteristic of the École de Nancy.

The building suffered a fire in February 1902 destroying its attic, and was threatened with destruction in 1973 before being restored in 1975. Its facades and roofs, including adorned with plant motifs reminiscent of commercial activity (forged iron poppy flowers and capsules), were protected as historical monuments by order of 16 August 1976. The metal structure, visible and bold for the time, aroused criticism but remained unparalleled, illustrating the technical and artistic innovation of the period.

Representing the rationalist current inspired by Viollet-le-Duc, the Génin-Louis building stands out for its unprecedented collaboration between architects and engineers in Nancy. The top three levels, dedicated to housing, are based on a wooden frame supported by metal frame. The decoration, concentrated on the golden and lower bays, harmonizes structure and ornaments, embodying the ideal of the School of Nancy: unite form and function. This work, both utilitarian and artistic, marks a turning point in the early 20th century's architecture of the French-speaking world.

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