Latest Films
14:30
Brussels & Victor Horta - Art Nouveau: Cities of the New Century
Why did Art Nouveau begin in Brussels, and why is Victor Horta considered its first and most radical architect? In this HENI Talks conversation, art historian Paul Greenhalgh speaks with Benjamin Zurstrassen, Director of the Horta Museum, about the cultural, political, and architectural conditions that allowed Brussels to become the birthplace of Art Nouveau at the end of the 19th century. The discussion explores how Victor Horta broke with historical styles, pioneering a new architectural language through the innovative use of iron, glass, light, and space — and why his work represents a decisive moment in the emergence of modern architecture.
17:00
Art Nouveau in Helsinki
Did you know Helsinki has one of Europe's largest collections of Art Nouveau ("Jugendstil")? It boasts having the most Art Nouveau/Jugend buildings in Northern Europe with over 600 buildings characterised by national romantic motifs like granite, folklore creatures, and nature-inspired designs. This film by HENI Talks on Art Nouveau, explores Jugendstil – Finland’s version of Art Nouveau – a movement that turned ordinary buildings into complete works of art and helped a young nation find its voice. Walking through Katajanokka’s castle-like apartment blocks, the Pohjola Insurance Building, studio-home Vitrésk, the National Museum, theatre and bank interiors, Kallio Church and Helsinki Central Station, we see how architects fused: – wild Nordic nature and the Kalevala myths – granite, wood, stained glass and mural painting – political hope, national pride and everyday life From stone monsters and stylised forests to towering churches and the lantern bearers of the railway station, Jugendstil in Helsinki becomes a total work of art – architecture, design and storytelling woven together.
10:34
Inside Pugin’s St Giles: The Gothic Revival Church That Stunned Victorian Britain
Step inside St Giles, Cheadle – Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin’s dazzling Gothic Revival Catholic church that stunned Victorian Britain. Completed in 1846, this “jewel box” interior is one of the most extraordinary expressions of Gothic Revival architecture in England. In this film we explore how Pugin turned a small Staffordshire parish church into a total work of art. Every surface is transformed: glowing stained glass, hand-painted stencilling, encaustic Minton tiles, carved stone, gilding and medieval-inspired furnishings all combine into a single immersive vision of faith and colour. We uncover the partnership between Pugin and his powerful Catholic patron, the Earl of Shrewsbury, in the wake of Catholic Emancipation, and show how St Giles became a manifesto for the Gothic Revival – influencing Victorian church design, foreshadowing the Arts and Crafts movement, and still astonishing visitors today.
6:18
Zaha Hadid: Zaragoza Pavilion
Bold, fluid, and futuristic, Zaha Hadid’s Zaragoza Pavilion for the 2008 Expo in Spain remains one of the most daring expressions of her architectural imagination. Designed as both a bridge and a building, it embodies Hadid’s lifelong fascination with form, flow, and movement and a visitor attraction when coming to Zaragoza. The Pabellón Puente, a futuristic, gladiolus-shaped bridge designed by Zaha Hadid, serves as both a pedestrian crossing over the Ebro River and home to the Mobility City exhibition, showcasing innovations in sustainable transport. It's a striking architectural landmark and one of the main symbols of the 2008 Zaragoza Expo. In this HENI Talks short film, Luis Fernández-Galiano, Professor at the School of Architecture of Universidad Politécnica of Madrid and Director of the “AV/Arquitectura Viva” magazine. explores how the pavilion captures Hadid’s radical approach to architecture — merging engineering with emotion, and structure with sculpture.
