When in Paris, See Where Genius Slept
Modern architecture nuts take note: Le Corbusier’s private Paris apartment has finally reopened after suitably finicky renovations
AFTER TWO YEARS of research and two more of renovation, Le Corbusier’s flat and studio in Paris have reopened to the public. In 1931, the Swiss-French architect was commissioned to design the Molitor apartment building (with cousin Pierre Jeanneret) and negotiated the top two floors for himself. In 1934, he and his wife moved in and he stayed for the rest of his life.
The Fondation Le Corbusier endeavored to preserve the 16th arrondissement duplex in the state he left it in 1965. With his bric-a-brac and some worn furniture, it’s as if he just popped out to get the morning paper. The 2,600-square-foot open-plan design features a floating spiral staircase and pivoting doors to regulate a flood of light from windows, skylights and glass brick. A stone-and-exposed brick wall frames his art studio, while the tiny terrace has plantings and the cityscape all around. 24 rue Nungesser et Coli, fondationlecorbusier.fr