Soiron building Since 2004 the so-called ‘Canons’ House’ (kanunnikenhuis) has been home to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This urban mansion, which dates from the last quarter of the eighteenth century, was built for André and Guillaume Soiron, two brothers who served as canon of the chapter of Saint Servatius. Their brother, city architect Matthias Soiron, was in charge of its construction. Unlike monks, canons were worldly clergymen who could privately own things and who also tended to be well-off. Their affluence is shown by the Neoclassicist façade, the lavish rooms and the many interior decorations. During the most recent restoration the university made sure to leave the original design in place as much as possible.