inside art nouveau

As his father was a headmaster, it is certainly no coincidence that for most of his career Jacobs would concentrate on building educational establishments. He implemented the new precepts for a perfect education, the goal being to help children develop by presenting them with examples of beauty and harmony. He also applied the then-recent theories of healthy living, which advocated more light, improved ventilation and a more hygienic environment for the pupils. However, he also built a small number of social housing units, which were invariably technically innovative, and a few private houses that displayed a very refined style.