Ivette Bechara

PROJECT 1: ARTFICE

Assigned villa: Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier, 1929-31

Research

a) Images

Source: Author unknown 2006, Architypes.net - Villa Savoye, Sponsor unknown, viewed: 17th March 2008, http://architypes.net/place/villa-savoye.

b) Critical Writings

Source: Camille Chami 2007,Archinnovations - Le Corbusier and Villa Savoye Remembered, Sponsor unknown, viewed: 18th March 2008, http://www.archinnovations.com/articles/editorials/le-corbusier-and-villa-savoye/.
- 1920s 'International Style' emerging - stripped the building of its ornament and focued on its volume and architectural space.
Machine age - new construction of concrete, steel and industrial galzing to create an interesting interactuoin of solid concrete and steel with the lighter glass.
- Le Corbusier's new language:
- Play of light on these primary geometric forms.
- The exterior as the result of the interior
- Site is surrounded by trees on 3 sides.
- Approach to the house best experieneced by a car passanger - the house reveals itself as a grand white box on pilotis. As car travels closer to the house you gradually explore the project.
- 'Promenade Architecturale' - Perception of space and elements surronding it changes
progressively depending on their location in space and time within the project.
- From the outside the building is first percieved framed by the landscape and now the landscape is framed by the building - Unite building and its landscape.

Source: Le Corbusier, 1984, Villa Savoye & Other Buildings and Projects, 1929-1930, Garland Pubishing Inc. & Foundation Le Corbusier, Paris, New York & London.
- 'The house is a box in the air, pierced al around without interruption, by a long window'.
- Subtle Ramp that takes you to the first floor (living quarters) with a courtyard distributing
light. The ramp the continues to the roof and solarium.
- Modern - flat roof, roof garden, terrace as an extension of the living area.
- Living functions on the first floor are 'classified'
NW (views) - salon
NE - Services
SW - Sun trap terrace
SE - Bedrooms
- Ground floor dimensions match the turning circle of a large car
- Villa Savoye as a "free design"

Source: Colquhoun, A, 2002, Modern Architecture, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Le Corbusier published his 'Five points for a New Architecture' denoting rules of a new
architectural system:
a) pilotis - raise building above ground (creates space underneath)
b) roof garden - pitched -> flat roof - bring landscape into the house.
c) free plan - use frame construction instead of load bearing walls.
d) ribbon windows - let in light.
e) free facade
- Interior of villa is free and asymmetrical
- Solid volume opened up wherever possible by cubes of air, strip windows.

Source: Curtis, W, 1986, Le Corbusier: Ideas & Forms, Phaidon Press Ltd, London.
- Pristine health house open to light, sun ad views of greenary.
- Paradigm of modernism AND reinforces classical values through its symbolic geometry.
- White colour stands out against greenary.
- Square plan ('ideal' form), curves, ramp and grid structure.
- As one enters they are faced with the ramp --> 'rising up into an illuminated realm'.
- Very open site.
- Horizontal in emphasis, supported on rows of pilotis and crowned by curved forms.
- The square, the grid, the axis, frontal plane, drama of exterior and interior spaces, volumes and surfaces.

Link to Filefront map:

1) If the first elevator doesn't descend, get off it and JUMP back on.
2) The Swinging platforms require a DOUBLE JUMP.
3) The triggers are visible in the meeting place. Walk over them to activate the dinning table.

5 Real Time image captures of Completed Environment:

Zhang Yin's Office Space

External view. Internal view of first space.

Zhang Yin's office space hangs verticaly off the bridge, comprising of three opening tilted hollow cubes. The concept for this space originates from Yin's paper recycling business, with the differing angles of each box denoting the growth and development of Yin's business, making her the world's richest self-made woman, while the private enclosed space reflects Yin's modest nature. The experience within her space is enhanced by the three elevators that take Yin from one space down to another.

Ratan Tata's Office Space

Ratan Tata's space reveals movement, power and my chosen quote,

'Ratan Tata has expressive hands. As he speaks, they move constantly —sometimes in a broad, expansive sweep, a grand gesture that conveys the strategic leap the entire Tata Group has taken overseas.'

The concept of gestures is evident through walls that open wide, ramps that are long and narrow and spaces with tilted elements. Within Tata's spaces, certain areas have been brightly lit while others are dark. In doing so, a sense of movement from darkness to light allows one to experience Tata's journey to power. Also, Tata's office spaces are not situated next to each other, forcing him to use a series of elevators to move from one space to another. This allows for the spaces to be viewed from different perspectives and illlustrates Tata's powerful high technology business.

Meeting space for business lunch

This meeting place is situated between the two offices and comprises of elements from both of spaces, representing the notion of power as a state that can only be attained through collaboration and unity of forces, rather than an individual journey. The series of platforms have double sloping walls with folding roofs, reflecting Yin's recycling business while the two half hanging dinning tables which descend and move together to become one table denotes Tata's technological business. The lighting and swinging texture in this space creates a pleasant atmosphere for business and lunch.

Other images: