Le site de vulgarisation scientifique de l’Université de Liège. ULg, Université de Liège

L’Equerre, a Liège modern architecture review
2/6/13

Employing these modern features, the Equerre Group architects produced numerous distinctive houses in Liège. Amongst the main constructions of the Liège architecture agency in the interwar period are the development of the ‘Plateau des Trixhes’ at Flémalle-Haute (from 1937), the  Reine Astrid play area at Coronmeuse (1939) and the Hollogne-aux-Pierres swimming baths (1937). The Group also contributed to the plans of the ensemble of the International Water Exhibition held in Liège in 1939. All these projects were characterised by their kinship with the modern movement and by their radical rejection of the architectural tradition established in Liège.

(EN)-expo-internationale-liege

In 1939, when the Second World War broke out, the review ceased publication, having attained 107 issues. After 1945 there nevertheless continued to be a clamour for the group’s expertise. Working together with the University of Liège, the architecture and town development agency in particular carried out ‘The Survey’, a study focused on town and regional planning for the whole of the Liège region. The Liège Palais des Congrès (Convention Centre) (1956-58), the head offices of the ‘La Meuse’ newspaper (1960-62) or the preliminary studies for establishing the University of Liège at the Sart Tilman estate bear witness to the success of L’Equerre, which nonetheless went bankrupt in 1982.

An act of preservation for Liège heritage

In the aftermath of the agency going bankrupt a good proportion of its archives was lost. The republication of these 107 issues of Liège architecture involves safeguarding the memory of an architecture agency whose works made their mark on Liège heritage, but also the recognition of modern architecture in Wallonia. A precious source of information for art historians, architects and other heritage specialists.

To the reproduction in facsimile form of almost the entirety of the collection (only the first edition is missing) is added a critical analysis, translated into English and structured into five sections. The editorial and academic advisory committees entrusted five authors, Jean-Louis Cohen, Geoffrey Grulois, Hélène Jannière, Sébastien Martinez Barat and Sébastien Charlier, with the task of offering their perspective on the socio-economic context and the issues surrounding this publishing output of the interwar period. What was the architectural culture against which L’Equerre positioned itself? How did small towns such as Liège come to spread the theories of the modern movement? What kind of urban development is advocated by L’Equerre? How did avant-garde reviews draw closer to power? What are the stakes and the ambitions of fledgling architects who are today following the same path as the members of ‘L’Equerre’? All questions which will not be without interest for connoisseurs of Walloon architecture and heritage.

The marvellous publication and graphic design qualities produced by Fourre-Tout publishers also needs to be highlighted, Fourre-Tout having also taken on the responsibility for meeting the technical challenges of this monumental work, which has just received the 2012 Fernand Baudin Prize.

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