Villa Savoye - Background Information

Architect : Le Corbusier
Date: 1929 - 1931
Location: Poissy, outside of Paris, France

Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye is a demonstration of the '5 points of a new architecture' developed in 1927.

1. The pilotis, or ground-level supporting columns, elevate the building from the damp earth allowing the garden to flow beneath.
2. A flat roof terrace reclaims the area of the building site for domestic purposes, including a garden area.
3. The free plan, made possible by the elimination of load-bearing walls, consists of partitions placed where they are needed without regard for those on adjoining levels.
4. Horizontal windows provide even illumination and ventilation.
5. The freely-designed facade, unconstrained by load-bearing considerations, consists of a thin skin of wall and windows.

The Villa Savoye is a modern villa, and is a great example of the 'International Style'. The Villa Savoye was a weekend country house for the Savoye family, and is situated in a meadow with trees surrounding the border. The Savoye family lived in this house until 1940, but during World War II, the Villa was then occupied by the Germans and then the Allies. During this time, the house was extremely damaged and worn down. There was consideration of demolishing this villa, however petitions were held, and the house was then listed as a historic monument in 1965. Repairs and restoration of the Villa were then made, and the house is now open to the public to explore.

Movement and visual perception was always important to Le Corbusier, and this was clearly shown throughout the Villa, through the use of the circulation through the ramp, and the vertical windows and openings along each facade allowing the play of light within this building.