Urban Architecture

Haussmann's Architectural Paris: Urban Architecture

Haussmann visually unified the city with an architectural façade.

Baron Georges Haussmann was selected by Napoleon III in the late 1800s to architecturally unify the city and bring it into the modern age.  Haussmann and his architects modified apartment buildings to have a similar façade that would be simple and affordable to construct yet timeless and Neoclassical in style ("Haussmann's Paris").

Widened streets allowed for heightened buildings.

     Haussman and his team designed extravagant hotels with a combination of Renaissance and Baroque style.  Hotels were adorned with lavish decoration and located in fashionable districts.  They symbolized Paris' wealth and modern status("Haussmann's Paris").

 

Wide streets left room for monuments and statues.

     New public buildings were also constructed such as train stations and government offices.  Train stations were used by all people and were a catalyst for the migration of people to Paris.  The stations had vaulted roofs and were constructed with ironwork and glass.  The stations as well as the trains that they housed were a symbol of the modern age of Industrialization("Haussmann's Paris").  Claude Monet painted a series of works spotlighting the train stations.  A couple can be seen in the Musee d'Orsay, which itself used to be a train station.

Claude Monet's painting of Gare Saint-Lazare.

Currently the Musee d'Orsay, in 1900 it was
a train station built for an exposition.

     Another important structure from this time period is the Opera Garnier, which was designed by Charles Garnier and built in 1861.  It unified the city, quarter, and people of Paris("Haussmann's Paris").  The industrial age afforded the people to have free time, so they went to the Opera to be seen by others.  The building is Neoclassical with Baroque details.  It is the most decorated building of this era, because it was built for the enjoyment of the wealthy class.

     The Industrial Age brought modernity to Paris.  People migrated to the cities where they could enjoy the use of public buildings and improved railway systems to travel.  Haussmann's architectural changes not only unified the buildings in Paris, but also the people.  Haussmann's modifications were timeless and are still enjoyed today.

Work cited:

"Haussmann's Paris". The Art History Archive-Architecture. The Lilith Gallery. http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/architecture/Haussmanns-

     Architectural-  Paris.html.

All photos by Katherine Buchanan.