Maison du Brésil, elevation of the principal façade. Le Corbusier design © F.L.C./ADAGP, Paris/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York 2015.
Maison du Brésil, Cité Internionale Universitaire de Paris, France, interior view. © Fondation Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier design © F.L.C./ ADAGP, Paris/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York 2015. Charlotte Perriand design © 2015 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ ADAGP, Paris.
The Maison du Brésil was Le Corbusier’s second building for the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the frst being the Pavillon Suisse (1930– 1932). Le Corbusier worked with the Brazilian architect and friend Lúcio Costa on the Maison du Brésil, and from Costa’s initial plans completed the building. The Maison du Brésil was located on the west side of the Pavillon Suisse (1930-1932), and in reference to this building Le Corbusier comments: “Greatest care was taken over the smallest detail, visible as well as hidden, and new experiences could be made” (Le Corbusier, “Introduction”, Œuvre Complète, Volume 2, July 1934). The above statement can also be applied to the Maison du Brésil as the student rooms have the same rigorous and Spartan approach as the Pavillon Suisse. Charlotte Perriand collaborated with Le Corbusier on the layout of the Maison du Brésil student rooms, combining the individual furniture elements to create a domestic and working environment for the students, where “new experiences could be made.”
NY_DESIGN_DEC15_2-83_BL.indd 72
13/11/15 09:51