Frans Smet-Verhas


Frans Smet-Verhas, born Frans Smet, was a Belgian architect. He was one of the principal designers to employ Art Nouveau in Antwerp at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Career

Following his marriage to Sophia Verhas, Frans Smet took the surname Smet-Verhas in 1887. His activities as an architect extended from 1880 to 1910, during which time he became one of the major architects to use Art Nouveau in Antwerp. He designed two of the most famous Art Nouveau structures in the city: the eccentric House of the Five Continents, finished in 1901, and the House of the Battle of Waterloo, built in 1905. Before turning to Art Nouveau around 1900, he had constructed several buildings using eclectic and Flemish Renaissance-revival styles. His son Arthur Smet also became an architect and later taught Renaat Braem.

Major Works

All in Antwerp unless otherwise noted