Detail van het vooraanzicht van een schoolgebouw aan het Joseph Lebeau plein in Brussel, België before 1893

Römmler & Jonas captured this detailed view of a school building on Joseph Lebeau Square in Brussels using an unknown photographic process. This image invites us to consider the role of architecture in shaping social identities and cultural values, especially in the context of education. The imposing facade, with its symmetrical design and ornate details, reflects the values of order and hierarchy that were often embedded in educational institutions of the time. As we consider this image, we might reflect on the architecture of schools as physical manifestations of societal priorities. The image prompts questions about access to education, its role in shaping individual identities, and perpetuating or challenging social norms. How does the physical space of a school influence the experiences of those who inhabit it, and what does it mean to be educated within these walls?