Mattot House

Maison Mattot is a modernist residential and professional building on Frans Dewandre Boulevard in Charleroi, one of the notable examples of interwar Belgian modernism in the city.

Who designed the building?

The house was designed by architect Marcel Leborgne, one of the leading figures of modernism in the Hainaut region. He drew up the plans in 1937 for Dr. Mattot, director of the nearby Reine Astrid maternity hospital, and the house was built between 1937 and 1939.

What was the building used for?

Maison Mattot was conceived as a terraced townhouse combining two functions in one address: the ground floor housed a consultation room where Dr. Mattot received patients, while the piano nobile above contained an apartment adapted to the needs of a single occupant. This layout let the owner combine professional practice and private life under one roof.

What stands out on the façade?

The most distinctive feature of the façade is its gently curving glazing, spanning the two lower levels. On the ground floor the glass curves softly toward the entrance, while on the level above it forms a fully rounded window that projects slightly beyond the building line. The generous glazed surfaces flooded the interior with light and created a strong visual connection to the street.

What architectural ideas shaped the design?

The first floor is arranged as an open-plan space, inspired by the principles of Frank Lloyd Wright — reducing the number of enclosed rooms in favor of a flexible, flowing layout. Sliding partitions allowed the living areas to be temporarily divided as needed. Leborgne also used the angled shape of the plot to introduce a deliberate break in the building's massing. The design further reflects the influence of French architect Robert Mallet-Stevens and the current of so-called precious modernism, which paired austere form with careful attention to detail and materials.

Who designed the interior furnishings?

Leborgne also designed the house's furniture, tailored to the character of the interiors. Only the built-in elements have survived to this day; the movable furniture pieces have not been preserved.

How has the building changed over time?

In 1955 the house underwent renovation: the second floor was extended and a terrace was added. These works, however, came at the cost of the original tile frieze that had decorated the upper part of the façade — one of the details characteristic of the building's original prewar appearance.

Why is Maison Mattot worth seeing?

The building is an important example of 1930s modernist architecture in Charleroi and illustrates how local architects translated the ideas of Wright and Mallet-Stevens into concrete, functional residential-professional design. It is an interesting stop for anyone interested in modernist architecture and 20th-century heritage in the Hainaut region.

Frequently asked questions

Who lived in Maison Mattot? The house was designed for Dr. Mattot, director of the Reine Astrid hospital, combining a consultation office and a private apartment.

When was the building constructed? It was designed in 1937 and completed in 1939.

Have the interiors survived in their original form? Only partly — the built-in elements designed by the architect remain, but the 1955 renovation altered the upper floors and removed the original tile frieze from the façade.