ARCH1201: "Artifice," The Model

Villa Savoye, Poissy, Le Corbusier, 1928-29.

Balsawood

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Cameron Foster, Hu Wen Jun and Barnaby Hartford Davis

Model

These photographs were taken with a single lamp in a fixed position, a black calico backing sheet and a digital SLR. The ‘sun’ angle is around 45 degrees from the ‘ground’ or base of the model and light emanates from the southern ‘sky.’ In all, it is roughly similar to the light conditions at around noon on a Winter’s day in Poissy.

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The Section Cut

Charles, Cam and I chose to build the model with a diagonal section cut to reflect the parti of the first floor. In one half of the model are all the private spaces: Madame’s bedroom cluster including her boudoir and ensuite, the Son’s bedroom and ensuite, and the guest bedroom and ensuite. In the other half are the public spaces, including the terrace, saloon, pantry and part of the kitchen. The majority of the kitchen lays within the ‘private’ model half, though only to afford a clean section cut.

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This section cut illuminates the complexity of the building’s plan. The building appears literally ‘full’ of walls, as we discovered in building the model, yet it is spatially resolved and calm.

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The section cut also cleanly divides the building into public and private spaces in the ground floor. The foyer and garage are in one half, and servant’s quarters in the other.

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