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CURATED ATLAS FOR CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
(South of France)(Architecture)(Architecture Directory)2024-07-08

Guide to South of France

The South of France is a place where modernist and avant-garde visions come to life. From Le Corbusier's minimalist Cabanon and Eileen Gray's pioneering E1027 to the futuristic curves of Palais Bulles by Antti Lovag, the region is a showcase of bold creativity. The historic Villa Noailles and the art-filled Fondation Maeght further highlight the cultural richness that defines this Mediterranean paradise.

Unité d'Habitation  is a modernist residential housing typology developed by Le Corbusier in Marseille, with the collaboration of painter-architect Nadir Afonso.
Unité d'Habitation is a modernist residential housing typology developed by Le Corbusier in Marseille, with the collaboration of painter-architect Nadir Afonso.
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Unité d'Habitation

The Unité d'Habitation is a pioneering residential building designed by architect Le Corbusier, completed in 1952 in Marseille, France. It's a landmark of modernist architecture, characterized by its use of pilotis, a free facade, and an open floor plan.

Le Cabanon

The Cabanon de Cap-Martin designed by Le Corbusier is both a total work of art and the archetype of the minimum cell, based on an absolute ergonomic and functionalist approach.

Palais Bulles

Palais Bulles is a large house in Théoule-sur-Mer, near Cannes, France, that was designed by the Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. It was built for the French industrialist Pierre Bernard, and later bought by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin as a holiday home.

Villa Noailles

Villa Noailles, built between 1924 and 1932 in Hyères, France, is a landmark of modernist architecture. Designed by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, the villa was commissioned by Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, influential patrons of the arts. The building features innovative design elements like cubic forms, spacious terraces, and large picture windows, reflecting the avant-garde style of the era.

Fondation Maeght

Some of the biggest names in 20th-century European sculpture, including Georges Braque, Joan Miró and Alberto Giacometti, came together to help create La Fondation Maeght, which has become France’s most important art foundation and is among the world’s leading cultural institutions.

Luma Arles

Luma Arles, designed by Frank Gehry, is a cultural hub in Arles, France. Its centerpiece is a 56-meter-high tower clad in shimmering stainless steel panels, reflecting the light and inspired by the local landscape and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” The futuristic design contrasts with the restored industrial buildings on site, creating a harmony between past and present.

E-1027

E-1027 is a modernist villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It was designed and built from 1926-29 by the Irish architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray.

La Grande-Motte

La Grande Motte, a seaside resort in southern France, is renowned for its distinctive architecture designed by Jean Balladur. The cityscape is defined by striking, pyramidal buildings inspired by pre-Columbian architecture and modernist principles. These white, geometric structures, often adorned with hexagonal windows and lush greenery, create a futuristic yet harmonious environment.