What if Stephen Sauvestre Designed or Inspired by Website?

Just in time for the summer Olympic Games being held in Paris, France, today’s post is about Stephen Sauvestre, an architect who contributed to the design of the Eiffel Tower, one of France’s most iconic landmarks.

A “What If Wednesday” Post

Stephen Sauvestre (1847-1919) was born in Bonnétable, Sarthe in France in 1847.   He is most famous for being a contributing architect of the Eiffel Tower, but he also designed most of the residences in the 17th arrondissement of Paris (InvisibleParis Website 2011).  Generally considered to be an architect-engineeer, Stephen Sauvestre worked with some of the most cutting edge projects of the time, including the Eiffel Tower.

However, what if Stephen Sauvestre were alive today and designed or inspired a website in his style?  What would it look like and what would be its features?  Read on to find out more about its features and how it would look.

Generally a website designed or inspired by Stephen Sauvestre would give a sense of refined elegance and timeless beauty.  Website subjects most suited to his style include art, history, and those dealing with the natural world, which would be presented in a visually pleasing and informative way.  In essence, the user would feel though they were strolling through a digital museum or a well-curated gallery; with each click of the mouse revealing a new treasure to discover.

• Visual Aesthetics: 
  • Color Palette: The color palette would consist of muted earth tones like beige, brown, and gray, reflecting the brick and stone that was commonly used in Sauvestre’s buildings.  Here and there would be accents of blue or green, to recall the metalwork in his designs.
  • Typography: The website would have Art Nouveau fonts, consisting generally of serifs with delicate curves and subtle flourishes and a few sans serif fonts.
  • Graphics and Icons: Graphics on the site would be inspired by the details in wrought iron and floral motifs.
  • Layout: The layout would consist of a grid-like structure mimicking the facades of his buildings and have clearly defined sections and balanced proportions.
  • Images: Imagery would be of high-quality photographs that showcase the textures of brick and stone, architectural details, or nature-inspired elements such as plants and landscapes.
• Features and Functionality:
  • Navigation: The navigation of the website would be intuitive and easy to use, and have a menu bar or side panel that mimics the symmetry of Sauvestre’s designs.  Drop-down menus could be styled like awnings or window frames.
  • Interactive Elements: Subtle animations or hover effects revealing additional information or images, mirroring the way shadows play on the facades of Sauvestre’s buildings during the day would be used.
  • Content: Content of the website would be focused on art, architecture, history, or nature, reflecting Sauvestre’s main interests.  The writing style of the content would be informal and yet elegant, with a touch of poetry.

Color Palette in a Stephen Sauvestre Inspired Website

Generally the colors of the website would reflect the materials used to build the structures designed by Stephen Sauvestre.  These colors include:

• Primary Colors:
  • Beige and Brown: These colors represent the stone and brick that was commonly used in Sauvestres’s buildings.  These colors create a sense of warmth, grounding, and a connection to the natural world.  To add visual interest and depth, different shades of beige from light cream to deeper tans, can be used.  Brown shades, ranging from warm terracotta to cool taupe, can provide contrast and definition to the site.  Example colors are:
    • Beige:
      • Light Cream (#F5F5DC): This very light, almost white beige could be used for backgrounds or large areas of text.
      • Pale Beige (#E9DCC9): This is a slightly warmer beige with a hint of yellow, which could be used for borders or accents.
      • Sand Beige (#D9B99B): A deeper beige with a touch of brown, which could be used for buttons or other interactive elements.
      • Tan (#D2B48C): A richer, more saturated beige with a reddish undertone, which could be used for headings or call-to-action buttons.
    • Brown:
      • Warm Terracotta (#E07A5F): A warm, earthy brown with a hint of orange, which could be used for headings or decorative elements.
      • Chocolate Brown (#512F2F): A deep, rich brown with cool undertones that can be used for text or accents.
      • Taupe (#483C32): A muted, grayish-brown that can be used for backgrounds or large areas of text instead of the beige colors.
      • Coffee Brown (#4B3832): A medium brown with a warm, reddish undertone that can be used for navigation elements and borders.
  • Gray: This neutral color can complement the beige and brown tones.  Grays can be used for backgrounds, text, or accents.  Different shades of gray, with examples below, can ranging from light silver to dark charcoal, can give a sense of hierarchy and guide the user’s eye to important elements.
    • Light Silver (#C0C0C0): A light, bright gray, almost white color that can be used for backgrounds or large areas of text.
    • Silver (#A9A9A9): A medium gray that can be used for buttons or other interactive elements.
    • Dark Gray (#696969): A darker gray that can be used for text and accents.
    • Charcoal (#36454F): A deep rich gray with a slight blue undertone that can be used for headings or call-to-action buttons.
• Accent Colors:
  • Blue: Blue can be used sparingly to represent the metalwork in Stephen Sauvestre’s designs.  Generally this color would be muted, such as a steel blue or slate blue.  These blues help give the website a touch of sophistication and elegance without overwhelming the overall website color.  Some examples with hexcodes are:
    • Steel Blue (#4682B4): A muted blue with a slight gray undertone that is associated with metalwork and industrial design.  This color can be used for buttons, links, or other interactive elements.
    • Slate Blue (#708090): A darker blue with a hint of green, representing slate rooftops or natural stone.  This color can be used for headings, smaller backgrounds, or various decorative elements.
    • Dusty Blue (#6A8CAF): A softer, more muted blue with a grayish cast, bringing a sense of weathered elegance.  This color can be used for borders, accents, or subtle textures.
    • Denim Blue (#1560BD): A deeper more saturated blue that is, as the name would imply, the color of blue denim fabric.  This color can be used for call-to-action buttons, logos, and other elements that need to stand out.
  • Green: Green represents the natural elements that were integrated into Sauvestre’s designs, including plants and gardens.  These greens would be muted, such as  sage green or olive green, and harmonize well with the earth tone browns and beiges to create a calming atmosphere.  Some example colors include:
    • Sage Green (#B2AC88): A muted, grayish-green with a hint of brown, often associated with herbs and natural landscapes.  It could be used for backgrounds, borders, or subtle textures.
    • Olive Green (#808000): A deeper, more saturated green with a yellowish undertone, remininescent of olive trees and Mediterranean landscapes.  This color could be used for headings, call-to-action buttons, or decorative elements.
    • Moss Green (#8A9A5B): A rich earthy, green with a touch of brown, evoking the lushness of moss-covered forests.  It could be used for backgrounds, accents, or subtle textures.
    • Forest Green (#228B22): A deep, dark green often associated with coniferous trees and dense woodlands.  This color could be used for text, accents, or elements that need to stand out.

Things to Consider Having Along with the Chosen Colors

• Include some Texture: Along with the colors, try to have some subtle textures such as brick or stone that reflect the materials used to build the buildings of Stephen Sauvestre.
• Have some Contrast: Make sure to maintain contrast for readability and accessibility.  For example, try to pair complementary colors together such as beige and blue or brown and green.
• Develop the Mood: The colors chosen can greatly impact the mood and atmosphere of the website.  A warm, earthy palette creates a welcoming and inviting feel, while a muted palette gives a sense of sophistication and refinement.

Typography in a Stephen Sauvestre Inspired Website

The architectural style of Stephen Sauvestre lends itself well to using either serif or sans serif fonts, however, the serif fonts would probably be better.  Different weights of the fonts can be used to establish hierarchy.  Spacing can be used to increase readability and improve text flow.  Text colors can be experiemented with to achieve good contrast.  Below are some ways fonts can be used and some examples.

• Serif Fonts: These fonts have small decorative strokes at the ends of the letters, called serifs, and would be the most applicable to Sauvestre’s style.  This font type evokes a sense of tradition, sophistication, and timelessness, reflecting the architectural style of Stephen Sauvestre.  Serif fonts with subtle curves and flourishes also directly reflect the Art Nouveau style, which Sauvestre was influenced by.  Some font examples include:
  • Playfair Display: An elegant serif font with high contrast bettwen thick and thin strokes, which could be used for headings and titles.
  • Merriweather: A serif font with a modern feel that is legible and can be used for body text.
  • Comorant Garamond: A classic serif font that has refined appearance and can be used for quotes and decorative text.
• Sans-Serif Fonts: These fonts, which do not have serifs, can be used for headings and call-to-action buttons.  Sans-serif fonts provide a modern contrast to serif fonts and help guide the user’s eye.  Some examples are:
  • Open Sans: A neutral sans serif font that is highly legible, pairs well with serif fonts, and can be used for body text and navigation elements.
  • Montserrat: A geometric font having a vintage feel that would be a good choice for headings or call-to-action buttons.

Graphics and Icons in a Stephen Sauvestre Inspired Website

Stephen Sauvestre, was said to be an architect-engineer and bridged the divide between artists and engineers.  As such he, he know not only how to work with materials, but also use some artistic flair.  The graphics in a site inspired by him would use these same principles.  Following are some examples to consider:

• Wrought Iron Details: Stephen Sauvestre was known for using ironwork in his designs, such as balconies, railings, and decorative elements.  These same details can be replicated in digital form with flowing lines, curves, and organic shapes.  For example, a navigation menu could be styled to resemble a wrought iron gate.
• Floral Motifs: Stephen Sauvestre was influenced by the Art Nouveau movement happening during his time.  This movement was known for its use of natural forms, especially flowers and vegetation.  Motifs resembling these shapes can be incorporated to add a touch of elegance and whimsy to the website.  For example, stylized floral illustrations can be used for headers, dividers, or decorative elements and/or floral patterns could be used for backgrounds or textures.
• Geometric Patterns: The Art Nouveau movement also embraced geometric shapes and patterns that were inspired by nature.  Think of using these patterns to create a visually interesting backgrounds, borders, or icons.  For instance, geometric shapes like circles, squares, hexagons, or more complex patterns inspired by leaves, flowers, or insects could be used.

The Application of Graphics and Icons on a Stephen Sauvestre Website

The graphics and icons used in the website should maintain consistency and not be at random in order to create a cohesive experience for the user.  Make sure that the graphics enhance the user experience and are clear, easy to understand, and serve a purpose.  Below are some examples of the use of graphics and icons.

• Navigation: Icons can be used to represent different sections of a website.  For example, a house icon can be used for the homepage, a gear icon for settings, or a magnifying glass for search.
• Headers and Dividers: Decorative graphics using floral motifs or geometric patterns can be used to visually separate different sections of the website or to create visual interest.
• Backgrounds and Textures: Patterns and textures inspired from wrought ironwork or natural forms can be used to create visually engaging backgrounds.
• Interactive Elements: Hover effects or animations can be applied to graphics and icons to make them more interactive.  For instance, a floral icon could bloom when hovered over, or a geometric pattern could subtly shift and change.
• Loading Animations: Loading animations that feature wrought iron or floral motifs can add a touch of personality and charm, while the website loads.

Layout of a Stephen Sauveste Inspired Website

The layout of a Stephen Sauvestre inspired website should follow five general principles; 1) have a grid-like structure, 2) have symmetry and balance, 3) have a clear visual hierarchy, 4) use negative space, 5) have responsive design.  These principles are elaborated on below.

• Grid-like Structure: The buildings designed by Stephen Sauvestre feature a clear grid-like structure having symmetrical facades and balanced proportions.  As such as website inspired by him would have a grid-like system with each section being separated by lines, borders, or negative space to create a sense of order and clarity.
• Symmetry and Balance: As explained above, symmetry is a key element of Stephen Sauvestre’s designs.  In a website layout this can be achieved by having two columns of equal width with balanced visual height.  As an example, a large image on one side could be counter-balanced by a block of text on the other side.
• Clear Visual Hierarchy: Stephen Sauvestre incorporated a clear hierarchy of elements in his designs, with features like entrances, windows, and decorative details drawing the eye towards them.  On a website, a similar effect can be replicated by using visual cues to guide the user’s attention.  For example, the most important content could be placed in the center of the page or highlighted with a larger font size or bold color.
• Negative Space or Whitespace: Like the modernists, such as Alvar Aalto, Eero Saarinen, and Jorn Utzon, Stephen Sauvestre, used whitespace, or negative space in his architecture.  Whitespace can also be incorporated in a website inspired by him, giving the elements room to breathe.

Example Uses of Layouts in a Stephen Sauvestre Inspired Website

• Navigation: Drop-down menus could be styled like awnings or window frames.
• Content Blocks: Content could be organized into clearly defined blocks or sections, each having its own visual effects, such as background color, border, or shadow.  This can create a sense of hierarchy and visual interest.
• Images: Images can be arranged in a grid format or used as focal points within content blocks.
• Footer: The footer could incorporate decorative elements such as floral motifs or geometric patterns.

Images in a Stephen Sauvestre Inspired Website

Depending on the subject of the website, high-quality images can be used to accentuate the patterns and textures used elsewhere on the website.  For instance, photographs can be used that show the various textures of the website subject or nature inspired images can be used.  For visual interest, these same elements can be used as backgrounds to set the mood and atmosphere of the website.

Conclusion

Stephen Sauvestre, bridge the gap between artists and engineers with his architecture in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Using his talents, he was able to incorporate earthy materials and natural forms into a cohesive whole.  A lot of his architecture, including the Eiffel Tower, still inspire to this day, and a website inspired by him would likely be just as timeless.

References

• Invisible Paris.  2011.  Stephen Sauvestre: The Forgotten Architect of the Eiffel Tower.  InvisibleParis Website.