30/10/2022
EYES ON a French architectural marvel known as the "Villa Super" in Cannes is by self-taught architect Jacques Couëlle (1902-96).
He called his style or "landscape houses" and seeks to fit them purposefully into the surrounding terrain. In English we refer to his style as being a part of the "architecture-sculpture" movement, however Couëlle was always on the margins of major movements in Modernist architecture.
In addition to his profound respect for the natural world, he often collaborated with artists in his work- this house featured collaborations with Alexander Calder as well as François Thévenin. The windows, front door and brassworks throughout take inspiration from brambles and other natural forms and were forged by Thévenin. Calder's mobile sculpture activates a natural breezeway that captures gentle breezes from the French Riviera, circulating them throughout the house for natural air conditioning.
The natural landscape was not interfered with to create this house, rather the scape of terrain dictated the form and layout of the house including the curved walls. The elements, weather and unique conditions of the location indicated where he put windows, openings and the gardens.
His unusual method for designing for the client involved putting sand down on the ground and having them mime their daily lives. He would begin with the living room and then build the other rooms as unfolding from this, all the while considering the best aspects of the view.
His plans were constructed in a steel wire maquette at his studio with nary a ruler or right angle in sight. This would then be covered with shotcrete and interpreted by craftsmen and builders to achieve his "anthill-like" houses that resemble rocks set in the landscape.
Sadly, the house is now hideously decorated with cheap Americana and is available to rent, touting celebrity tenants and filming locations to entice visitors to hire it. The grounds seem forlorn and the overall masterpiece has been woefully maintained.
Photo by as seen in Architectural Digest, France ()
