Villa Cavrois - A Modern Concept

A Modern Concept

Villa Cavrois is a testimony to a lifestyle as it was conceived in the late 1920s by modern architects contemporary with Le Corbusier. Luminosity, hygiene and comfort are the keywords that underlie such buildings. Villa Cavrois illustrates this concept with simplicity and elegance. The large modern mansion was organized to offer the best possible lifestyle to the nine members of the family and to facilitate the daily work of the household staff. Its style was a total break from that of other neighbouring houses of the same era in the suburbs of Croix. Clear guidelines governed the design of the building, which was commissioned in 1929: "air, light, work, sports, hygiene, comfort and efficiency".

Mallet-Stevens' work is not limited to the organisation of the building's volumes to best meet the needs of his customer; he also designs the interior decoration and the gardens which surround the vomma. The map of the villa is studied to ease the movements and to organize in a rationale way the day to day life in the building. Around the marge entry hall which welcomes the visitors, the domain of the parents is developing in the east wing, while the west wing is devoted to the kids and to the household staff. It also houses the rooms where the family gathers, such as the dining hand and the children dining hall, linked to the parc by an external staircase.

The choice of materials and furniture inside echoes the hierarchy of spaces: everything is conceived and adapted for use in places. Simplicity and functionality of the furniture prevail in all parts. The luxury of this house does not spread in the paneling or gilding, it unfolds in the richness of the materials used, such as the marble and wood.

The Villa Cavrois especially provided to its occupants a large number of amenities especially rare for the time, such as the distribution of hot water, cold and softened. Electricity occupies a special place in this building: each room has a radio loudspeaker and an electric clock. The apparatus for cleaning the machine, vacuum or power are also cooler. The Cavrois also have at their disposal heater bathrobe! The phone, present in all parts, allows people to communicate among themselves or with the outside world. Lighting has also been the subject of special care, in collaboration with engineer Solomon.