Architect Amit Khanna of AKDA reflects on the architectural nuances and historical significance of Villa Savoye designed by Le Corbusier

On a crisp morning in September, I made the trip to Poissy in rural France, an otherwise non-descript village an hour away from Paris. Quick paces through winding roads with barely a soul in sight, and twenty minutes later, the first glimpses of the surrounding trees came into view. A gap in the trees yielded the “prismatic” forms for which the villa acquired it’s fame.

The building is set in a huge garden. Much like the suburban villas that have begun to dot the landscape of major Indian cities, it was a weekend home for a wealthy family. The patrons were drawn to Corbusier’s vision of a modern home set in a garden, unlike anything that Paris had ever seen. He spoke of expansive views, of plumbing, heating and parking for cars – ideas unheard of in the 1920’s in Europe. He was keen to experiment with new technologies like glazing and heating in the house to go along with his ideas about architectural forms – a new approach to architecture inside and out.

Approaching the villa, the rhythmic play of light and shadow on the façade revealed a careful orchestration of elements. The stark contrast between the white surfaces and the large horizontal windows showcased Corbusier’s commitment to functionalism, a hallmark of modernist architecture. The pilotis, slender columns lifting the structure above the ground, offered more than just visual appeal. They symbolised a break from traditional building methods, emphasising a new era where technology and innovation dictated design. As I ascended the ramp leading to the entrance, I couldn’t help but appreciate how these pilotis liberated the building from the constraints of the earth, fostering a sense of weightlessness.

Stepping inside, the open plan of the interior immediately struck me. Walls ceased to be load-bearing barriers, allowing spaces to flow seamlessly into one another. The free plan concept, another pivotal feature of modernism, demonstrated a departure from compartmentalised living, embracing a sense of openness and adaptability. The interplay of light flooding through the ribbon windows further emphasised the fluidity of space within.
The rooftop garden, an oasis overlooking the surroundings, added a layer of functionality to the design. Le Corbusier envisioned the terrace as a space for leisure and contemplation, a retreat from the demands of urban life. This integration of nature into the architectural narrative resonated with the modernist ideology of creating harmony between humans and their environment.

Villa Savoye’s flat roof and the inclusion of a solarium underscored Corbusier’s forward-thinking approach to sustainable design, a concept that gained prominence in subsequent architectural movements. The building’s reliance on geometric shapes and the use of the golden ratio in its proportions further highlighted the meticulous planning and mathematical precision behind the design.

As I absorbed the architectural nuances, I couldn’t help but reflect on the historical significance of Villa Savoye in the broader context of modernism. Completed in 1931, it emerged during a time of profound societal and technological change. The aftermath of World War I and the Industrial Revolution prompted a reevaluation of architectural principles. Le Corbusier, along with his contemporaries, sought to forge a new path, discarding ornamentation in favor of functionality and embracing the machine aesthetic.

Villa Savoye stands as a manifesto of these ideals, encapsulating the radical shift in architectural thinking. Its influence reverberated globally, shaping the trajectory of modernist architecture in India and beyond. The villa remains a testament to the power of design to transcend borders and cultures, inspiring architects to reimagine
the built environment.

As I waited on the platform to catch my train back to Paris, absentmindedly nibbling on the kind of baguette that one can only find in a rural station in France, I thought of how much has changed – Corbusier’s brand of modernism created the contemporary city as we know it – a smorgasbord of rectilinearity and the buildings that stand out today are those that invert his principles rather than follow them, such as those by Zaha Hadid and Thomas Heatherwick.

I also thought of how little has changed in how buildings are commissioned. The wealthy are still engaging architects to build fantasies of folly in the suburbs around the world. In the end, these insignificant buildings are always an indulgence and a whim and speak more about the clients of the era than the architects. Somehow, that makes Villa Savoye special. A hundred years on and we can still look upon it in wonder. I know that I certainly did.

Amit Khanna – Design Principal, Amit Khanna Design Associates

Amit Khanna graduated from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, in 2002, followed by a Masters in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford. He is a recipient of the Moira Barrie Award (UK) & held the Kellogg Scholarship at the University of Oxford. He founded and is the design principal of AKDA, a globally recognized multidisciplinary architecture & design firm based in New Delhi, India. He combines a deep involvement in design with his primary responsibility for the strategic direction of the practice. He was featured on The Bold Club: The Design Next Gen Top 30 Under 45 by Forbes India in 2023.