Was it just me or did someone else feel the breeze shift as we arrived at Square Nungesser?
Square Nungesser is not just another spot in Paris. It is a place where architecture and history intertwine. Though we are seemingly in Saint-Mandé and not Paris-proper, the location is not far off.
Let’s talk about the architectural gem nearby. The Immeuble Molitor stands proudly near Square Nungesser. It was designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Construction spanned from 1931 to 1934. This building blurs the line between Paris and Boulogne-Billancourt.
The east facade faces 24, rue Nungesser-et-Coli. This marks the border of the 16th arrondissement and Boulogne-Billancourt. The west facade overlooks rue de la Tourelle. The building was commissioned by Societé Immobilière de Paris Parc des Princes. The developers wanted to showcase avant-garde architecture.
Le Corbusier and Jeanneret designed an eight-story building. It housed fifteen apartments. The design incorporated Le Corbusier’s five points of modern architecture. These included a free floor plan and a structure supported by columns. There was also a free facade and a roof garden. Le Corbusier secured the top two floors for himself.
Construction faced interruptions due to financial difficulties. The building was completed in 1934. However, the Societé Immobilière went bankrupt by 1935. A bank contested Le Corbusier’s ownership. Legal battles ensued for a decade. In 1949, his ownership was finally recognized.
Major renovations occurred in 1950 and 1962. Le Corbusier and his wife lived there. She died in 1957 and he died in 1965. The Fondation Le Corbusier now owns the atelier and apartment. Visits are possible by appointment.
The building’s design was constrained by the site’s dimensions. Strict zoning codes also played a role. Still, Le Corbusier’s innovation shines through. The all-glass facades are particularly striking. They draw inspiration from Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre. The facades contrast solid glass bricks with transparent windows. The apartments are filled with light.
Le Corbusier’s apartment spans 240 square meters. It occupies the top two floors. Stairs lead from the sixth floor. The seventh floor includes the entrance and living room. You will also find the kitchen and atelier there. The eighth floor has a guest room and access to the roof garden. Walls are painted in pure primary colors. The atelier features a stone wall. Exposed brick contrasts with modern materials. Charlotte Perriand designed the furnishings.
The apartment of Le Corbusier was listed as a monument historique in 1972. The facades and roof were listed in 1990. In 2016, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Molitor building embodies Radiant City principles. It caters to individual and collective needs. It stands near the Bois de Boulogne and sports facilities. These include the Molitor Swimming Pool. The unobstructed outlook allowed fully glazed facades. Nevada glass bricks were used. This represented a new experimental stage for Le Corbusier.
The Molitor building implements the five points of modern architecture. The main facade uses various Saint Gobain glass products. Clear glass is used in the window sashes. The facade on the Boulogne side provides garage access. Servants’ rooms are also located there. Le Corbusier placed his personal flat on the upper floors.
He lived there until his death in 1965. The two-level maisonette served as home and workplace. His studio faced a rubble stone wall. His flat included a living room and kitchen. The 8th floor contained a guest bedroom. It gave access to the roof terrace.
Restoration work occurred during Le Corbusier’s lifetime. The studio-apartment was registered as a historic monument in 1972. The building was wholly registered on June 9, 2017. It received the Maison des Illustres quality label in 2011.
Standing here at Square Nungesser, one can’t help but feel the weight of architectural history. The legacy of Le Corbusier and his innovative designs continue to inspire.