Arch 1201: Design Studio 3: Project 2 - Villa Savoye Critical Analysis

Villa Savoye(1929-1931) is situated in Poissy, outside Paris. Villa Savoye is a concrete representation of Le Corbusiers ideal living space, portrayed by the 5 principle of architecture (support, Free Plan, Horizontal windows, free facade, flat roof/ roof garden). The villa Savoye represent the essence of modern architecture, which simple colour, no bearing walls, as well as the flat roof.

Structure

· The main support in the villa is the use of concrete columns to raise the building of the ground and support the structure.

· Le Corbusier believed "the building had to be raised 3-6 meters so that the Villa Savoye could be removed from soil therefore introducing it to light and air." The elevated rectangular structure make the building has a feel of lightness.

· The uses of pilotis throughout the building allows the design having no bearing walls, creating an independent structural system that carries floors separate from the wall, meaning the placement of wall is wherever it desire.

· No bearing wall considerations result in the ability to create open space without concern of changing in building structure. The idea of free plan also carried on in bringing the landscape under the outline of the building.

· Creating unencumbered views was another advantage of piloti based construction, in which windows can run through the length of the building, framing the nature by the handmade structure windows, offering the direct link with the horizon.

· Columns are the most important structural elements in Villa Savoye.

· Although the building in part rests on the ground floor base, the first floor extends beyond the base which makes the structure seem to hover in mid air

Circulation

Green: Residents and Visitors Circulation
Blue: Servant Circulation

· Purpose of the pilotis: to free up a circulation zone underneath the building.

· The staircase separates one floor to another while the ramp links them together.

· The three levels are dictated by the continuing ramp as the main circulation for public. The ramp works as the main movement devices between spaces, also contributing as a device to control the natural lighting in the building.

· The ramp is the most important element which allows people to experience the whole building by movement. By moving up the ramp, people can visually experience the spaces. Act as a camera filming the spaces.

· According to Le Corbusier, the ramp provides "a gradual ascent from the pilotis, creating totally different sensations than those felt when climbing stairs. A staircase separates one floor from another; a ramp links them together"

· The movement as you walk through the building will allow you to go through open and close spaces. The volume of space is constantly changing as if giving you to choice of going up the second floor, either by spiral staircase or by long the ramp.

· The Le Corbusier designed Villa Savoye to have its own ability to direct visitors through the “restricted route” as to see the complete view of the location.

· The progress from the terrace to the solarium is also by a ramp--an outdoor ramp now, with a guard rail on the last stage like those on ocean liners.

Geometry (Formal Devices)

· Ground floor was meant to be a services division, and the level above is suppose to be the main apartment, and the three levels are dictated by the continuing ramp as the main circulation for public.

· The ideal living space is expressed by zoning, meaning there is a staging in the house, separating public and private, service and main living space.

· There are no main spaces on the ground floor, as the ground floor only meant to be garage and maid rooms.

· The flat roof was intended by Le Corbusier to create another functional space in the roof, so that roof become more accessible and liveable, and be used for the mean of playground.

· The villa is partially symmetrical with the central column indicating the main axis which is continued inside by the central ramp. Only the curving walls on the, entrance, stairs and roof, which mask the solarium, disrupt this sense of symmetry.

· The plan suggests a separation between rooms which function in the day and those used at night, for the living room, kitchen and pantry are along the northwest facade while bedrooms are placed on the northeast and southeast sides.

· The glass wall of the living room makes the distinction between inside and outside less obvious. It creates an interpenetration of indoor/outdoor space just as the unglazed "windows" and roofless "walls" in the courtyard suggest a link to the interior spaces. The terrace is a kind of open-air living room.

· The solarium is closed in from the winds by high walls both curved and straight.