“Villa Montmorency,” a private residential community in Paris. Ever heard of it? Today we are standing in front of Villa Breton.
Villa Breton’s story intertwines with the renowned architect Le Corbusier. He was approached by Charles Berque in the autumn of 1921. Berque wanted a refurbishment of his house. It was located in this exclusive community.
Charles Berque knew Le Corbusier’s work. His son Jean, a painter and friend of Amédée Ozenfant, advised him. He became a shareholder of L’Esprit Nouveau.
Villa Breton sits on a triangular plot. Le Corbusier’s drawings show interior layout studies. He proposed new furniture. He planned an extension of the living room and a large terrace. A metal railing would surround it. Renovations to the garden and a pergola were also in the works.
It’s hard to know exactly what was done. We know the terrace and living room interior were completed. The work finished in July 1922.
The terrace was built with concrete. It was covered with brick pavement. The living room layout received particular care. The existing decor was respected. Color played a crucial role. Le Corbusier’s chalk drawings highlight this. Walls and full-height curtains enlarged the space.
A letter from Le Corbusier in February 1922 gives more insight. It mentions a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and office refurbishment. Modernizing the house was planned. This included installing central heating.
Charles Berque and Le Corbusier reconnected in 1925 and 1926. The terrace coating wasn’t very weather-resistant. Berque wanted it repaired or modified. Le Corbusier presented a new project in September 1926. He proposed a garage at the bottom of the plot. Then, a small housing community of four or five houses in the villa’s garden.
Villa Breton stands as a testament to architectural vision. It is a blend of old and new. It embodies Le Corbusier’s innovative spirit. Its walls echo with stories of art, architecture, and a unique collaboration.