This was the Future, Vol.32
typed for your pleasure on 1 January 2007, at 7.09 pmFinally, a new one!
Sdtrk: ‘Don’t drag no more’ by Susan Lynn
Well, well, well, if it isn’t a structure by Mr ‘Machine for living’, Le Corbusier. This would be Villa Savoye, located in Poissy, France, and completed in 1929. In fact, this would be the primary example of his whole ‘machine for living’ aesthetic.
The Villa Savoye was designed as a weekend country house and is situated just outside of the small village of Poissy in a meadow which was originally surrounded by trees. The polychromatic interior contrasts with the primarily white exterior. Vertical circulation is facilitated by ramps as well as stairs. The house fell into ruin during World War Two but has since been restored and is open for viewing.
quote taken from this site
One of the coolest and most forward-thinking aspects of Villa Savoye is that the garage is integrated into the structure itself. What would occur is that you would drive along the paved section up to the house, and your vehicle would follow the curve established by the ground floor. Le Corbusier knew what he was doing, as that ground floor curve was the exact turning radius of an automobile — some sources say the 1927 Citroën, others say it was the 1929 Voisin.
Other ace features would be the open-plan layout, the central spiral staircase, windows practically everywhere, and a ramp leading to an open-air roof garden. Quite innovative, especially for the late Twenties. Not counting the Maison de Verre, of course
Random similar posts, for more timewasting:
This was the Future, Vol.04 on February 15th, 2005
This was the Future, Vol.37 on May 5th, 2009
January 4th, 2007 at 5.21 pm
1929?!? It looks very contemporary to my 2007 eyeballs.
I like it!
…
It does have a very slight office-building vibe by today’s standards, though, doesn’t it. No matter, I’ve wanted to live in many the well designed office building.
January 5th, 2007 at 1.49 am
Hear hear! Back in the late Nineties, my then-roommate Steve and I were attempting to coerce everyone else within our circle of mates that buying a small multi-level office building for all of us to live in would be a fab idea. I still think it’s an ace idea. Probably not entirely cost-efficient, but wahey, it’s an office building!!