In class we watched a video about Charlotte Perriand’s Les Arcs Resort in France. After reading about her for homework last week and watching the video showing images of the resort I was very inspired by her work. She was very interested in metal and wood later in her career. In class we spoke about our opinions on the materials and the different qualities of each which got me to think about the way the two materials can interact. Charlotte Perriand’s Les Arcs Resort is very interesting and the video by The Art Institute of Chicago helped me step into her designs without ever experiencing it in real life. Her Les Arcs Resort emphasizes the nature around the buildings which I think is very important in design especially when you are designing in such a beautiful landscape. She designed the rooms very simplistically and mass produced the bathrooms and kitchens. She also designed the buildings to detract from the surrounding area in the least way possible. When it snows you wouldn’t be able to tell the buildings are there from above as they would blend into the mountain. I think this is really important because I love the idea of building into nature and working with it. I think disturbing nature in the least way possible is important for the environment and can create some really beautiful structures. The Les Arcs Resort also made me think of Bruno Taut’s Glass Pavilion which was discussed in the lecture. Although the photos of Taut’s design are in black and white the space was filled with colourful glass which created a diamond-like space full of colour. This concept reminded me of the colourful glass walls at the Les Arcs Resort.
Glass Pavilion by Bruno Taut.
Les Arcs Resort by Charlotte Perriand.
