Le Corbusier's Villa Savoy

Poissy, France
1928-1929
International Stlye Villa

When looking into a 20^th century building that has had some sort of influence on me; I immediately thought of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoy in Poissy, France. I studied this building in every one of my architecture classes. To me this building has a sort of simplicity about it that describes the International Style of the early to late 20^th century. To many the façade of Villa Savoy may be completely mundane; but to me it shows the beauty of Le Corbusier’s 5 point plan:

• Pilotis
• Ribbon Windows
• Free Facade
• Free Plan
• Rood Garden, or simply the usage of the roof in its entirety

A plan that was so new to the architectural scene at this time, that many thought it would fail. His usage of simplicity allowed many at the time to view architecture in a totally different way. Not focusing on the decorative style of architecture; Le Corbusier’s designs focused more on the house as a whole. Simple ribbon windows which give you no insight to the architectural make-up of the interior of the house. The usage of pilotis, giving it an almost light feeling to the Villa. International Style tended to base most of its outside ornamentation through its surroundings. I think that the Villa Savoy gives and receives from its surroundings. Allowing the difference in colors of the trees and grass to play with the almost pure white on the façade of the Villa.

I personally have always loved Le Corbusier’s work, from his art to his designs within the architectural world. To manage architecture into five key points at a time when there were so many elements to any architectural design, says a lot about the simplicity that he is trying to show from his designs. Le Corbusier’s way of going against the norm, and allowing the design to show through in every architectural element without trying to mask it with ornamentation is something that I think is very important to a great architect and a great design.