13. Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation

In 1926, Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians founded a medical research institute to encourage laboratory research and collaboration between scientific researchers and medical practitioners. The institute is housed in an Art Deco building designed by Henry Lacoste and constructed between 1927 and 1930. Lacoste was assisted from 1929 onwards by the architect Lucien De Vestel. The red-brown brick facades are enlivened by coloured friezes. The off-centre main entrance leads to a large entrance hall and five pairs of windows that admit daylight into the library, underlined by a panel inscribed QUEEN ELISABETH FOUNDATION. The interior is divided into sections housing laboratories, offices a library-cum-conference hall and a house for the Director. The exceptional original Art Deco interior remains almost completely intact.