Villa Savoye

Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) – Pierre Jeanneret, Poissy, France, 1929-1931

Location
Poissy - Paris, France

Year
1929 - 1931

Architect
Le Corbusier

Villa Savoye is a private residence located in Poissy in the Parisian suburbs, designed by Le Corbusier (pseudonym of Charles-Eduard Jeanneret), master of rationalist architecture, and Pierre Jeanneret, built between 1928 and 1931 on commission from Pierre Savoye.

The villa is known for Le Corbusier's five architectural principles:

pilings: The villa is raised from the ground by a series of thin reinforced concrete pillars called “pilotis”. This allows the building to appear to float above the ground, creating an open space beneath it.

Free facade: The facade of the Villa Savoye is not a load-bearing element, which means that it has been freed from structural functions. This allowed Le Corbusier to create large horizontal windows that extend along the sides of the building, giving a feeling of lightness and openness.

Free plan: The interior architecture of the villa is characterized by an open and flexible plan, without load-bearing walls. This allows for a more dynamic and versatile layout of the interior spaces.

Ribbon window: Le Corbusier used long, horizontal windows to maximize the entry of natural light into the building.

Garden terrace: The roof of the villa serves as a garden terrace, offering an outdoor space to relax and enjoy the surrounding views.

These principles became fundamental in modern architecture and influenced many subsequent architects.

Villa Savoye was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and is now open to the public as a museum, allowing people to admire and understand the importance of this architectural masterpiece and Le Corbusier's contribution to the history of architecture.