BOZAR - Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts, more commonly known as BOZAR, was designed by the architect Victor Horta (1861-1947). Unlike his famous Art Nouveau buildings, the Palace of Fine Arts is a typical example of Art Deco architecture.
Horta designed the Palace of Fine Arts as a 'city within a city' with a sophisticated circulation plan consisting of a series of corridors, staircases and spaces that connect via eight entrances to the surrounding urban structure. In this way the building forms a link between the lower and upper parts of the city. The Palace of Fine Arts was protected on 19 April 1977.
2019-2021: Transformation of the flat roofs into a roof terrace
The transformation of the flat roofs - on the side of Ravensteinstraat and Baron Hortastreets - into a roof terrace is part of Bozar's master plan to restore the Art Deco building according to the original plans of architect Victor Horta.
Horta wanted to turn the flat roofs into a terrace for the public, with a panoramic view of the Royal Palace and Brussels' lower city. But the final details were gradually dropped from the programme.
The terrace has been made accessible to persons with reduced mobility. They can take the lift to the roof. On the terrace itself there are a few steps. A lift has been installed there.
Exhibitions of imposing statues and sculptures will also be scheduled on the roof itself; so the insulation must be able to withstand extreme loads. This requirement, combined with fire safety, made FOAMGLAS® cellular glass a must for this magnificent project.
