After visiting and finishing our tour of Le Corbusier's Studio Apartment, the tour was extended through the streets of Paris, making our way to Le Corbusier's Villa La Roche. The two buildings, both designed by Le Corbusier, are in fair walking proximity from each other and both share stylistic qualities. However, there is one key difference between the two buildings that can be derived from there locations. While Le Corbusier's studio apartment is located along the street, open to the public and easily visible. Le Corbusier's Villa La Roche is located within a small neighbored street, at the end of the row, hidden from the everyday public eye.
Villa La Roche, also known as Maison La Roche was designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, located in Paris, from 1923 to 1925. The house was originally designed for a Swiss banker and collector of Avant-Garde art, named Raoul La Roche. Interestingly, one wouldn't guess it at first but there is a second home connected with Villa La Roche, which is Villa Jeanneret, so in its entirety the whole composition is two buildings combined.
In terms of Villa La Roche and its construction, it is a semi-detached house that is laid out at right angles with Villa Jeanneret. Le Corbusier used the Modern style of architecture in its design, construction, and choice in materials. As well as incorporating his own method of five point theory of architecture. Furnishing the home was heavily collaborated upon, it included three chrome plated tubular chairs. Throughout the home, one pays attention to the texture and color Eventually, the home became a museum displaying 8,000 drawings, studies, and plans by Le Corbusier.
In terms of Villa Jeanneret, was once the home of Pierre Jeanneret, which is now no longer inhabited, it is now they house the Foundation Le Corbusier museum and archives. Villa Jeanneret is not open to the public. Villa Jeanneret was commissioned and structured by Le Corbusier's brother, Albert Jeanneret, and his fiancee. The program of the home features a salon, dining room, bedrooms, a study, a kitchen, a maid's room, and a garage. Due to the site facing north and zoning restrictions, prevented the use of windows looking over the nearby back gardens. Which made it necessary to use light courts, a terrace, and skylights, which in a fascinating way the terrace resembles the deck of a ship.
The two buildings, more specifically focusing on Villa La Roche, is quintessential of Le Corbusier's approach to Modern architecture and housing. The Villa works as an exhibition space for Raoul Roche's collection of Avant-Garde artwork, now portrays featured artwork. Showing the collection of space, volumes, and gallery programs. Villa La Roche features geometrical purity and minimalist approaches to its aesthetic, continuing another addition to a modern work of art.