Imagine a wealthy French insurer named Pierre Savoye. He and his wife Eugénie commissioned a house. It would be near Poissy a small town on Paris’ outskirts. This commission led to the creation of the Villa Savoye.
The Villa Savoye stands as one of Le Corbusier’s greatest masterpieces. For architects a visit here is like a pilgrimage. You’ve likely seen photos and read about it. But experiencing it in person is truly fascinating. The history of its construction is quite troubled.
In the spring of 1928, Pierre and Eugénie Savoye contacted Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret. They wanted a country house. Pierre Savoye was a wealthy insurer. This was a unique opportunity for Le Corbusier. He could demonstrate his architectural principles without major economic constraints.
The Savoyes wanted a precise program of spaces. Later they requested some changes to reduce costs. The chosen land was a beautiful wooded site. It was about 30 kilometers northwest of central Paris. It remains unclear if the Savoyes wanted only a country house. They may have planned to relocate to the new villa permanently. Le Corbusier wrote that they wanted to live in the countryside. It would be linked to Paris by car.
Eugénie Savoye suggested the house be easily expandable. This implied it could become their main residence. Villa Savoye is the best embodiment of Le Corbusier’s Five Points of a New Architecture. These include thin columns pilotis. These elevate the building and create landscape continuity. The free internal layout is another key feature. A column-based structure allows this. Facades become non-structural. This gives the architect freedom to design them functionally and aesthetically. A habitable flat roof provides a garden and solarium. Horizontal ribbon windows provide natural light.
These five points rely on reinforced concrete. This was a unique construction material in the 1920s. Reinforced concrete was mainly used in engineering. It was used for industrial buildings and infrastructures. Le Corbusier chose reinforced concrete for its flexibility.
The automobile played a major role in the villa’s design. A large part of the ground floor was reserved for a garage. It held three cars and a chauffeur’s apartment. Le Corbusier told Madame Savoye that the car’s turning radius defined the house’s dimensions. Mechanics and technology were viewed positively. They could transform a dwelling into a machine à habiter. The Savoyes wanted modern technical systems. These included heating, water supply and electric lighting. Eugénie Savoye requested cold and hot water gas and electricity.
Another innovation is the relationship between architecture and landscape. This becomes evident when visiting. The villa measures 9.40 meters in height. It is 21.50 meters long and 19 meters wide.
It is built on pillars that free the ground floor. This allows for more garden space. The first floor is the main living area. The ground floor houses servants and the garage. There is also a solarium on the roof. A gentle ramp from the entrance provides access to the first floor. A spiral staircase also provides access. A large part of the first floor is occupied by a terrace.
The villa Savoye faced issues after completion. The Savoye family noticed water leaks and difficulty keeping it warm. During World War II, the villa was requisitioned. Germans used it as a strategic observation point. Afterward, the American army moved in. The house was severely damaged.
In 1958, the town of Poissy bought the property. They intended to build a high school. Architects mobilized to save the villa. Restoration began in 1963. In 1965, it was listed as a Historical Monument. In 2016, UNESCO designated the villa Savoye a World Heritage Site. Today the Villa Savoye stands as a testament to architectural innovation. It embodies Le Corbusier’s vision.