Immeuble art nouveau

The building in front of you at 29 Avenue Rapp is the Immeuble Lavirotte, a radical departure from the rigid stone uniformity of typical Parisian streets. Completed in 1901 by the architect Jules Lavirotte, this seven-story apartment building was designed as a full-scale rebellion against the regulated style of the era. Lavirotte utilized innovative construction techniques here, including early forms of reinforced concrete, to support a facade that curves and ripples like an organic, living thing. When it was unveiled, the building immediately made headlines and secured the top prize in the 1901 City of Paris facade competition for its daring spirit.