Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris was Le Corbusier's birth name and changed it to Le Corbusier in 1920. He was born October 6, 1887 in Switzerland, he married Yvonne Gallis, a dressmaker and fashion model, who died in 1957, and Corbusier died August 27, 1965, while out for a swim in the Mediterranean suffering from a heart-attack.
In 1907, Corbusier went to Paris, where he found work in the office of Auguste Perret. It was during this trip to Italy and his employment at Perret's office that he began to develop ideas and a liking towards architecture. He also took French citizenship in 1930. Corbusier invented 5 points of architecture:
1. Le Corbusier lifted the bulk of the structure off the ground, supporting it by pilotis, reinforced concrete stilts.
2. A free facade, meaning non-supporting walls that could be designed as the architect wished.
3. An open floor plan, meaning that the floor space was free to be configured into rooms without concern for supporting walls.
4. Ribbon windows that allow unencumbered views.
5. Roof garden to compensate for the green area consumed by the building and replacing it on the roof.
Le Corbusier designed and built the Duplex named Villa la Roche-Janneret in 1925 in Paris, France. It is one building that is split into two spaces. One side is for Raoul La Roche and the other side for Pierre Janneret. Both sides to this building express Corbusier's 5 points of architecture. For example both have ribbon windows lining the walls to allow an abundance of light in and roof gardens that you can utilize.
His five points of architecture are shown inside with two-story spaces and balconies.The main construction of this building is mainly stone walls molded into flat slabs, as well as windows and some full walls constructed of only glass and metal to hold it in. There is also grass planted on top, on the roof.
As for Le Corbusier he found inspiration from seeing the models of Theo van Doesburg and Cornelis van Eesteren, he then used some of the principles that were used in those models to design the rooms of Maison La Roche-Jeanneret.
 |
| "bottom floor"
The house is an assembly of large flat slabs of stone or glass (depending on which wall). The architecture in this one building represents a definite change with all previous stereotype of a house "modern" home. The lay outs are pretty simple for a double sided home.
Also the elevation looks so simple, when in fact everything about this building is so thought out and complex. 
I've mentioned Le Corbusier's 5 points of architecture quite often throughout this whole blog, that's because they are so clearly represented in this one building. The pilotis are used in the ground level to hold up part of the Roche. It holds up the "L" shape of the building. The free facade (facade is the front part of the building) is definitely represented because Corbusier didn't just make it a straight wall, he jutted out walls on the second floor, put in pilotis, ribbon windows doors etc. Also the free floor plan is used quite well because he used his space wisely and put things exactly how he wanted to configure them. While leaving open spaces as well. And the last two are obvious, the ribbon windows and roof garden. Both are used well.
My person opinion about this house is a positive one. This house may not be "eye candy" to most people, but to me I think the Villa Roche/Janneret is perfectly designed and thought out. I have a ton of respect for Corbusier because of the depth he went into just to cover the 5 points and make it to his perfection. He didn't just through shapes and walls together to make this, he took time and used his intelligence to craft this duplex home. This building works so well for someone who respects the art of architecture. I would absolutely love to live or at least visit this place. Lastly I'm putting extra photos to show the rest of the home.
         |
No comments:
Post a Comment