Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

This house, built in 1890 in Clermont-Ferrand for the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Gourgouillon, embodies the alliance between bourgeois architecture and art crafts. Its originality lies in its ironworks, made between 1890 and 1920 by the Bernardin family, two generations of ironmakers who revived the tradition of wrought iron auvergnat. The balconies on the first floor, with curved forms inspired by the 18th century, and their "natural" vegetal decoration testify to a technical mastery and aesthetic close to Art Nouveau.

The facade on the street, classified as Monument Historique in 1981, is distinguished by its modern-style sign, supported by a forged iron vegetal motif. The large workshop door, dating back to the 1920s, marks a return to a more sober classicism, contrasting with the exuberance of balconies. These elements reflect the evolution of tastes and techniques over three decades, while anchoring the building in Clermont-Ferrand's industrial history.

The building also illustrates the role of craftsmen in the urban transformation of the late 19th century, when the city, dynamic thanks to its metallurgical activities, saw the flourishing of achievements combining utility and beauty. The Bernardin family, by signing these ironworks, left a lasting impression on the local heritage, linking their name to that of Gourgouillon, the first owner and sponsor of the work.

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