The Villa Savoye: A Manifesto for Modernity

October 24, 2013
The Villa Savoye, one of the most recognizable and renowned examples of the international style of architecture, was built by Le Corbusier between 1921 and 1931 as the weekend home for the Savoye family. Often referred to as a "box in the air," the Villa exemplifies Corbusier's set of architectural principles, Five Points of New Architecture.
During WWII, the Villa was occupied by both German and Allied troops, causing extensive damage. In 1958, the town of Poissy, France bought the property eventually giving it to the French state in 1962. Growing awareness of the Villa's universal value led to its restoration between 1963 and 1997 and its designation as a historic monument during Le Corbusier's lifetime.
Pierre-Antoine Gatier, architecte en chef de Monuments Historiques, France, discussed the conservation management plan for the house and site. As part of his presentation Gatier drew on works of modern architecture such as Maison La Roche, which has recently undergone conservation treatments and is home to the Foundation Le Corbusier in Paris.
About the Speaker
Pierre-Antoine Gatier is one of the most prominent architects for historic preservation in France. In addition to his work for the French Ministry of Culture as the architect en chef de Monuments Historiques, he is also the president of ICOMOS, France, a Richard Morris Hunt fellow of the American Architectural Foundation, and teaches at the Centre des Hautes Etudes de Chaillot, Paris and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris.

[@TaylorStJohn-fp9zs]

Phenomenal presentation! Thank you so much for sharing this!
In my honest opinion as a huge Le Corbusier fan, the Villa Savoye should be restored to its 1931 state and true appearance...the way it was at its material conception.

[@kimhollis9416]

Really interesting! Thanks for sharing

[@HYPERArchitectureDesign]

Awesome :)

[@canweng5546]

great

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

Villa Savoye is a manifesto for bad design, it's really not useful for anything else

[@6leicam]

It was done in 1929,where was you at that time.I think is a great piece of Modern Architecture,and I happen to be an Architect.

[@asarogers5786]

@@6leicam Why did you feel the need to claim to be an architect, do you think it gives your opinion more value?

[@Mike-ps1rc]

@@asarogers5786 It actually does

[@tomabernathy2368]

it's so ugly though