The Maison de Verre (French for House of Glass) was built from 1928 to 1932 in Paris, France. The design was a collaboration among Pierre Chareau (a furniture and interiors designer), Bernard Bijvoet (a Dutch architect working in Paris since 1927) and Louis Dalbet (craftsman metalworker). Much of the intricate moving scenery of the house was designed on site as the project developed.
The house is notable for its splendid architecture, but it may be more well known for another reason. It was built on the site of a much older building which the patron had purchased and intended to demolish. Much to his or her chagrin, however, the elderly tenant on the top floor of the building absolutely refused to sell, and so the patron was obliged to completely demolish the bottom three floors of the building and construct the Maison de Verre underneath, all without disturbing the original top floor.
I had to write an essay on this house for one of my architecture history classes, it was built as a controversial "family planning clinic". 3 floors with partition walls that move around, lots of industrial hardware, and rubber floors. It’s really too beautiful to be hidden in some back alley gated off.
lorem_ipsum4says
Chareaus furniture inside is just as compelling. Lesser know, it was also used as a private practice gynecological office…
Pitchfork_Wholesalersays
What’s the deal with the rails and ladders that seemingly go nowhere?
joaoslr says
The Maison de Verre (French for House of Glass) was built from 1928 to 1932 in Paris, France. The design was a collaboration among Pierre Chareau (a furniture and interiors designer), Bernard Bijvoet (a Dutch architect working in Paris since 1927) and Louis Dalbet (craftsman metalworker). Much of the intricate moving scenery of the house was designed on site as the project developed.
The house is notable for its splendid architecture, but it may be more well known for another reason. It was built on the site of a much older building which the patron had purchased and intended to demolish. Much to his or her chagrin, however, the elderly tenant on the top floor of the building absolutely refused to sell, and so the patron was obliged to completely demolish the bottom three floors of the building and construct the Maison de Verre underneath, all without disturbing the original top floor.
More info and photos: https://www.atlasofplaces.com/architecture/maison-de-verre/
Crossposted from /r/ModernistArchitecture .
reneding says
Looks gorgeous
KingSilver says
I had to write an essay on this house for one of my architecture history classes, it was built as a controversial "family planning clinic". 3 floors with partition walls that move around, lots of industrial hardware, and rubber floors. It’s really too beautiful to be hidden in some back alley gated off.
lorem_ipsum4 says
Chareaus furniture inside is just as compelling. Lesser know, it was also used as a private practice gynecological office…
Pitchfork_Wholesaler says
What’s the deal with the rails and ladders that seemingly go nowhere?