Emiel Van Averbeke
Emiel Van Averbeke, was born on July 10, 1876 and died on February 1, 1946 in Antwerp.
He enrolled at the Antwerp Academy, but had to interrupt his studies to provide for his family.
In 1892 he entered the service of the architect Émile Thielens, with whom he collaborated until 1899 on various major projects such as the Antwerp Zoo buildings.
Van Averbeke will be an important figure of Antwerp Art Nouveau, creating with his friend Jan Van Asperen emblematic buildings of the city such as the liberal People's House, or the Fire Station. Between two wars, he launched into major Art Deco and modernist projects. From 1920, he was the chief architect of the city of Antwerp.
