04 MAISON DE VERRE

MAISON DE VERRE WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1927 AND 1932, IN THE 7TH ARRONDISSEMENT IN PARIS, FOR DR. JEAN AND ANNIE DALSACE. THE COUPLE COMMISSIONED PIERRE CHAREAU AND BERNARD BIJVOET TO PLAN THE HOUSE, A THREE STORY FAMILY HOME AND CLINIC, WEDGED UNDER THE FOURTH-FLOOR APARTMENT OF AN 18TH-CENTURY TOWNHOUSE.

THE HOUSE WORKS AS AN EXQUISITE MACHINE. BIG CURVED PERFORATED METAL SCREENS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTRY STAIR ROTATE TO SHUT THE LIVING QUARTERS OFF FROM DR. DASACE’S CLINIC BELOW. A WEIGHT AND PULLEY SYSTEM OPENS THE WINDOW PANELS, ALLOWING FOR NATURAL VENTILATION. A ROLLING LADDER SET ALONG THE SALON BOOKCASE IS FABRICATED FROM A SINGLE PIECE OF STEEL PIPE AND INLAYED WITH WOOD. THE NAME OF THE HOUSE COMES FROM ITS FACADE - A GRID OF TRANSLUCENT GLASS BLOCKS, CREATING A MAGNIFICENT ILLUMINATED BOX