When French designer Pierre Charpin was invited to refit an apartment in modernist master Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse housing block, he was given complete freedom within a few pretty strict constraints. Starting in 2008, owner Jean-Marc Drut has let a handful of designers—each one chosen by the last—turn the space into a kind of furniture and art installation in whatever manner they choose, provided they don't repaint the walls or alter any of the existing furniture, which includes pieces by Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, as well as by Le Corbusier himself.
"I could have kept this apartment like a historical display," Charpin explained to Dezeen, "but I felt more interesting to re-activate it with contemporary designs and see if it was still relevant in the 21st century." To that end, he brought in new furniture, colorful glassware, and ceramics in a manner that Drut describes as "playing a lot with the strong light of the Mediterranean." See what he means below, and head this way to watch Le Corbusier lead a tour of his own apartment.
· Pierre Charpin refits Apartment N°50 in Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse [Dezeen]
· All Le Corbusier coverage [Curbed National]
· All interior design coverage [Curbed National]