Gédéon Bordiau

Gédéon Bordiau is a Belgian architect born in Neufvilles (Soignies) on February 2nd 1832 and died in Saint-Jose-ten-Noode (Brussels) on January 23rd 1904.

Biographical elements

Formed with the Academy of the fine arts of Brussels (1847-1854), Gédéon Bordiau starts its career as draftsman of Joseph Poelaert which it succeeds, after its resignation in 1856, as architect of the Ville of Brussels.

He thus collaborates in the majority of the great projects of Poelaert, of which the interminable building site of the Law courts of Brussels, this Pharaonic construction completed after the death of its originator. He will keep indelible marks of them, like a taste pronounced for the heavy masses of stone and gigantism.

He carries out its first personal project in the Madou place where he builds a series of workshops of artist of Renaissance style, laid out in exèdre around the entry of the roadway of Leuwen. During the installation of the boulevards of the center above the sluice the Seine, it realizes, Place of Brouckère, an investment property of Renaissance style very decorated which will obtain the 13th price of the assistance of architect organized to encourage the rebuilding of this part of the downtown area.

It is then associated with the urbanization of the suburbs of Brussels by drawing the plans of the district of the Public gardens. Its project of palate of the rejected fine art, Jules Anspach entrusts the installation of the district to him while the Belgian State orders to him the palate of industry and the installation of the gardens of the plate of Linthout, soon renamed Parc of the Fiftieth anniversary. It is devoted to it during nearly twenty years while realizing, according to the budgetary availabilities, all the extensions necessary and benefits from it, at the same time, to propose houses for the regular exposures which are organized there (1880, 1888,1897). Energy and the enthusiasm with which it directs the trades contribute to sit its reputation.

Principal achievements

Houses of artists - Madou place in Saint-Jose-ten-Noode (1861-1862, demolished)
Installations with the zoological garden of the park Léopold in Brussels (birdcages, parts of water, bus shelters and main door) (1873-1877)
Together of the District of the Public gardens - public gardens Marie-Louise, which occurred Palmerston, Ambiorix public garden, Marguerite public garden in Brussels (1875-1880)
Investment property - place of Brouckère, 17 in Brussels (1872-1876, integrated in the Hotel Metropolis)
Palate and Park of the Fiftieth anniversary (1878-1904)
Hotel street Galileo in Saint-Jose-ten-Noode (1877)
Workshop of architecture personnel, street of Spa to Brussels
particular House - street of the Duke with Watermael-Boitsfort (1881)
Large-Ducal Palate - Luxembourg (Transformation, 1891-1894)
Senate of Belgium - rue de la Loi in Brussels (Enlarging room of meeting, 1902-1903)

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