In Chrysalis

Le Corbusier is, in many ways, the father of modernism. While modernism may not need an introduction, Corbusier does. Through all of his architectural investigations; Notre-Dame-du-Haut at Ronchamp, Villa Stein, Maison Domino and his book 'Towards a New Architecture', Corb looked at Architecture as a machine for living. Breaking down fundamental Architectural tectonics to slab and ceiling with little vertical obstructions, Corb created new dichotomies in the way in which a building's programme can influence design. In our office, this is what we took as a precedent for our "newest old" project. A while back, a client came to us with a design problem: 'how to liven up a space that is 3,000 sqft with only 4 windows. The space is practically a cave. We decided to create an object, or machine for living, that would transform the occupants to focus on the object and not on the lack of natural light. In the Corbusien sense, we moved the bathrooms into this object and created 'dynamic living spaces' around this sculptural piece. With it's red skin of shimmering plaster, the shape glows in the space that is practically all white except for the kitchen cabinetry and hardwood flooring. Here are some initial renderings: