The iconic
design objects

These masterpieces of design furnish the Swiss Foundation, built in 1933 by Le Corbusier himself. The architect took charge of both the exterior and the interior of the building, which was classified as a Historical Monument in 1986. In addition to the armchairs, Le Corbusier designed three benches for the large living room, made of concrete and covered with painted enamel plates. Charlotte Perriand, for her part, created a marble-veined table, 274 cm long, for the same space.

The living room also houses a mural fresco signed by Le Corbusier, characterized by a vibrant color palette. This work actually covers an older fresco, also conceived by the architect, which consisted of an organic photographic assemblage of parts of the human body and plants. The first version was severely damaged during World War II.

This lamp illuminates the living room of the Danish Foundation, inaugurated in 1932 thanks to a fundraising campaign involving both citizens and the Danish state. Architect Kaj Gottlob, a key figure in Scandinavian modernism, designed most of the furniture in this room, including a remarkable grand piano made by the Hornung & Møller manufactory, as well as various items such as chairs and porcelain vases.

The space also features creations by other great names in Danish design, such as the minimalist furniture of Hans Wegner, as well as various works of art: large canvases depicting the four seasons by Kresten Iversen (each canvas accompanied by a verse from the poet Piet Hein), a glazed ceramic sculpture by Jean-René Gauguin (son of the painter Paul Gauguin), and the bust of literary critic Georg Brandes.

The furniture, including tables, display cases, and shelving made of fine wood, was crafted by Parisian artisans according to Camille Richard’s designs. These elements blend seamlessly with the crimson-red walls, evoking the color of the floor in the central library, while incorporating subtle decorations inspired by the temples and palaces of Southeast Asia, all in line with the clean lines typical of the 1930s.

The space is structured around a large central nave flanked by two side aisles, separated by richly adorned columns. Four large canvas paintings, placed at the corners of the room, feature the iconographic motifs of Buddhist temples: mountains, clouds, and celestial dragons. Natural light pours in abundantly through large windows with decorative muntins and colored stained glass, opening onto the garden and the entrance of the house.

The décor skillfully integrates traditional Asian elements, such as a plaster Buddha statue.

This iconic lamp was originally designed to equip the rooms of the Maison des Provinces de France, built in 1932. The furniture in this residence was partly envisioned by Maurice and Léon Jallot, with a focus on durability, ease of use and maintenance, while providing students with peace and privacy.

The rooms also had a decorative feature: they were all covered with wallpaper in seven different patterns, created by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. Even today, the Jean Perzel Workshop, located near the Cité Internationale, continues to sell this model, which has become a true collector’s item, reflecting the enduring legacy of Art Deco design.

These chairs furnish the theater of the Maison du Brésil, a cultural space marked by its modernist architecture. The room is notably distinguished by its raw concrete ceiling, which gives the entire space a simultaneously sober and monumental atmosphere. This material choice reflects the rationalist approach of the time, where the exposed structure becomes an aesthetic element. The theater, designed to host performances and conferences, also benefits from carefully studied acoustics and an optimal seating arrangement.

The Maison du Brésil, inaugurated in 1959, is the joint work of Le Corbusier and Lucio Costa. It is part of the Brazilian modernist movement, combining raw concrete with organic elements.