Tribute to Charlotte Perriand: Louis Vuttion Breathes Life into La Maison au bord de l’eau

January 3, 2014

by Kevin Campbell

Louis Vuitton collaborated with Pernette Perriand-Barsac, the daughter of world renowned French architect Charlotte Perriand, to create La Maison au bord de l’eau or “The House on the Water”. Louis Vuitton Women’s Creative Director Julie de Libran and her team unveiled this collaboration when they were granted access to Perriand’s archives for inspiration in designing Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2014 Icons collection. This never-before released work by the architect was unveiled at the Raleigh during Miami Art Basel on December 3-8, 2013, making this legendary, yet never executed, project a reality.

Originally designed by Perriand in 1934 for a competition sponsored by L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui magazine, the house is a direct reflection of the precepts she valued—simplicity, beauty, elegance, fine craftsmanship, quality materials, balanced proportions, harmonious palettes, and refined detail. They say the mark of a true artist is in the timelessness of their craft and according to her daughter Parnette who assisted her throughout her career, “Her work doesn’t age”.

Charlotte Perriand was, among other professions like designer, planner, and photographer, an architect. She remains an influential figure in the modern movement of the 20th century with links to the avant-garde in France, Germany, Russia, Japan and Brazil. Her work spans seven decades of the last century, leaving her mark on the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. She was the first woman to work as an architect, designer and planner, opening up all these opportunities to the many women who followed her. She created many design masterpieces now regarded as icons. As a close friend of, and collaborator with, painter Fernand Léger, her work is marked by the concept she called a ‘synthesis of the arts’ (synthèse des arts) and the determination to share progress with everyone through her chosen field of creativity: the home. A great traveler throughout her life, her thinking and work were enhanced and expanded by her travels throughout Europe, Asia, India, the Pacific and Latin America.

The house was crafted in a workshop outside Milan, La Maison au bord de l’eau and was created with Perriand’s original plans in mind, under the guidance of her daughter, Pernette. It was then deconstructed and shipped to Miami, where it was rebuilt and was be on display for a prospective collector to acquire as a Design Miami satellite. In fact, the only adaptations made to the original plans were minor and necessary to meet current American building codes for accessibility and energy efficiency. Made of iroko and okoume hardwoods and glass set on a stainless steel frame and enhanced with aluminum details, the house is furnished with newly fabricated leather, walnut, and oak chairs, slate tables, and light fixtures she designed between 1929 and 1942.

Whether it is classic, timeless pieces of luxurious goods or the construction of one of the most well-known architects in the last century, Louis Vuitton is no stranger to class, style, and art in all forms and always has a hand in giving these masterpieces the recognition they deserve