As we look back in history to learn more about the contributions of women in design, one name particularly stands out: Charlotte Perriand. As a contemporary of Le Corbusier, Perriand submitted the design of La Maison au Bord de l’Eau, or House on the Waterfront, in 1934 for a competition sponsored by the French architecture magazine L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui. Although Perriand’s design came in second place and inspired later designs, the original scheme was never built until recently. After designing a collection inspired by female icons, Louis Vuitton took the initiative to build the house and exhibit it around the same time that Design Miami took place in 2013.
Among the original design’s fundamental concepts were simplicity, functionality, affordability, flexibility, and sustainability.
Simplicity
A rectangular floor plan is divided in three areas: two covered wings flanking an outdoor space. While one wing is compartmentalized to create two bedrooms and a bathroom, the other is opened to give space to cooking, eating and living areas. In addition to allowing free communication between these two wings, the outdoor space is delineated by a wall holding the entry door in the rear, and it is opened to the beach in the front to frame the view.
Functionality & Affordability
As French Laws granted workers the right to vacation, Perriand envisioned an affordable design that could be easily built by the water. As space planning tightly responded to minimum clearances, furniture and millwork directly related to use and function.
Flexibility
Designed to float above pillars, the design accommodates a variety of site conditions. Moreover, its simple column grid allows for easy expansion as the family grows.
Sustainability
Although Sustainability did not have the same impact at the time, Perriand encouraged the use of local materials to keep the house affordable. Also, she truly appreciated the use of natural materials. Moreover, she proposed the use of a rolling canvas over the outdoor space to collect rain water. Through an opening at the center of the canvas, water was collected in a container sitting directly below this opening. Since the house could be built in remote locations, the collected rain water could be repurposed.
As contemporary designers who strive to design responding to many of these fundamental concepts, it is impressive to observe Perriand’s ability to graciously address them almost eight decades before our time.
– Andy Vieira
