Design for a Mass-Operational House Designed by Hector Guimard, Staircase Construction
October 1920
Medium
architecture
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Madame Hector Guimard
Accession Number
1956-78-1-36
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Hector Guimard, the celebrated French architect (1867–1942) best known for his sinuous Art Nouveau designs like the iconic Paris Métro, created this *Design for a Mass- House: Staircase Construction* in 1920. A master of organic forms and wrought iron, Guimard transitioned in his later years toward more utilitarian architecture, reflecting the era's growing demand for efficient, affordable housing after World War I. This drawing highlights the staircase as a key structural element in Guimard's vision for a "mass-operational" house—likely a forward-thinking concept for prefabricated or modular...