Maison Bacot / Gentry - Rue Dartois 42 - architect Clément Pirnay

The Gentry House, formerly known as the Bacot House, was designed by the Verviers architect Clément Pirnay, in collaboration with architect Paul Jaspar. It was built in 1922 and underwent a complete restoration of the facade from 2002 to 2004, led by the Liège architect Alain Dirix.

This building is a beautiful example of Art Nouveau, built in reinforced concrete, its three floors decorated with Sgraffito mainly representing vines. The ground floor, whose function is commercial, was vacant for a long time.

The intervention on the facade on the ground floor was limited to replacing the exterior joinery. Although the ground floor houses two different functions (trade on the left and private entrance to the upstairs apartment on the right), it has been treated symmetrically to be in line with the philosophy of the floors. Despite the simplicity, the cut, dimensions and rhythm created by the new frames form a coherent and harmonious whole.

Inside, the furniture was placed far from the facade, with a view to discretion and respect for the original architecture of the building. The materials used in the company are black marble, glass and wood. With its curved shape, the counter creates both a subtle tension and an invitation to enter the business. The layout of the ground floor completes the whole discreetly, while emphasizing the original architecture designed by Clément Pirnay.

Renovation/furnishing of the ground floor of Pâtisserie Jeanpierre by Bureau d'architectes sAmH sa was one of the projects nominated for the Prix du Patrimoine et du Matrimoine 2023 of the city of Liège