Horta, following the example of the French architects Labrouste and Dutert, uses glass and metal in his constructions.

In 1893, he had built his first recognizably Art Nouveau house, the house of the Tassel family (which can still be seen in the Rue Emile Janson/Emiel Jansonstraat, 6 in Brussels).

Now 37, he currently has two commissioned manor houses under constructions: Hôtel Van Eetvelde and Hôtel Solvay.

In the Hôtel Van Eetvelde (1895-98) he uses floral, tendrilous ornaments.

The same year, he completes his own house on the rue Américaine.

His extremely sinuous and delicate structures have influenced the French architect Hector Guimard, who had visited Horta in 1894.