Critical Analysis Of Eileen Gray's 'Villa E1027'

The piece I will be discussing is Eileen Gray’s ‘Villa E1027’. The piece is hugely influential in the architecture and design world. It was one of greys first architectural projects

Historical Background

In the early twentieth century the Modern movement of architecture and industrial design came about. This movement was a reaction to the change within society and the introduction of new technologies. The ever changing world and technology meant artists to evolve alongside the changing world and this kind of ‘industrial revolution’ that was happening. Modernists ideas have seeped into every form of design especially architecture and design. Although most modernists insisted they were not following any style in particular, their work is instantly

Altough Gray admired Corbusier’s work and took inspiration from him especially from his ‘Five Points of the New Architecture’, their philosophies had fundamental differences, which became clear when Gray continued her architectural work. Gray did not agree with his famous dictum that a house should be a “machine for living”. This was evident within the E.1027 villa, a modernist structure but with playful elements. Although Corbusier was the master mind behind ‘Five points of the New Architecture’, Gray was actually the first to take action and put these points into place within the planning of her E.1027 and this is what sparked the bitter jealousy Corbusier had towards Gray. A woman in a male dominated world of design had created this fine piece of modern architecture. Gray was self thought she had no qualifications in architecture, she was known as a designer of furniture and interiors. Was Le Corbusier threatened by her?. After Gray and Badovici had separated in 1938 Badovici had invited Le Corbusier as a guest at the villa. Although her admired E.1027 and at one stage even wanted to purchase it. He ignored Gray’s wish of keeping the villa free of any decoration and vandalised the pristine walls with offensive and garish murals in an act of sabotage. The murals were a way for Corbusier to mark his territory and his presence. There is a photo of Corbusier himself painting the walls of E.1027 naked. Corbusier’s actions were spiteful and an act of jealousy. He didn’t stop there he built a prefabricated house directly behind