INSTABILITY + BALANCE

Figure 7: Villa Savoye, exploded axonometric displaying primary structural elements Figure 9: Maison A Bordeaux, structural elements; roof girder, concrete facade, shelf beam and stairwell

Figure 10: Maison A Bordeaux, structural elements; roof girder, concrete facade, shelf beam, stairwell and tension road and weight

Figure 11: Villa Savoye, display of structural pilotis and floor slabs 10

CIRCULATION + FUNCTION

Function in both the Villa Savoye and Maison A Bordeaux has been established through means of experiential vertical movement. Noticeably the journey through each house starts with the emphasis on a vehicle’s approach from which occupants are then treated to constantly changing conditions.

Famously, Maison A Bordeaux is molded to Koolhaas’ client’s brief with a hydraulic elevator rising through each floor of the building. 7 The uppermost level of Maison A Bordeaux functions as bedrooms with the lift serving the parents and a spiral staircase on the other side of the house entering the childrens’ rooms. The elevator provides opportunity to access all floors and is big enough to function as a space itself. Often seen as a moving study, the elevator passes a library beside on the ground and first floors. 8

Corbusier made great emphasis of the ramp in Villa Savoye, suggesting “staircase separates one floor from another; a ramp connects.” 9 In this case, this is very true, offering one to pass through the space in both a vertical and horizontal manner. Weaving from the ground floor to the roof terrace, the ramp is an example of continuous movement and interaction with a space.

Figure 14: Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier’s famous ramp to roof terrace Figure 15: Villa Savoye, ground floor movement diagram Figure 16: Villa Savoye, first floor movement diagram Figure 17: Villa Savoye, second floor movement diagram

Figure 18: Maison A Bordeaux, hydraulic lift and flexibility of the feature through dual purpose

Figure 19: Maison A Bordeaux, ground floor movement diagram Figure 20: Maison A Bordeaux, first floor movement digram Figure 21: Maison A Bordeaux, second floor movement diagram

PRIVATE + UN-PRIVATE

Corbusier and Koolhaas have created buildings which mix many uses of private, semi-private and public space. Visually, both architects have allowed a lot of connection between the outside and inside, guided partially by the idea of having a floating box structure above mainly glass lightweight spaces.

The Villa Savoye is a prime example of plan libre (the free plan) 10 , offering flexibility and the option to alter each floor. Free flowing in movement, the Villa Savoye is more publicly accessible to occupants and guests. With services and entrance strictly on the ground floor, Corbusier takes to the tradition piano nobile and the social hierarchy of classical architecture. 11

The Maison A Bordeaux is complex, much to the desire of the client. Disconnected from the main house of Maison A Bordeaux are living quarters for guests and the maid at the time. Also on this ground floor are service areas, carved into the landscape. Above situates living conditions; first floor hosting open plan living spaces and the second floor housing bedrooms that are solely private, both visually and accessibly. 12 This is similar to the Villa Savoye’s floating box which is seemingly private from outside but has plenty of connection to the outside from inside.

What helps define and also, undefine these spaces, is the connection to both structure and circulation of movement. The structural stability allows for open space and circulation allows for the interplay of spaces.

Figure 22: Villa Savoye, social hierarchy across floors

Figure 23: Maison A Bordeaux, social hierarchy across floors