Reinterpreting architectural precedents: The enduring relevance and transformative capacity of Villa Savoye’s design principles

Abstract

This paper examines the evolving role of architectural precedents, focusing on Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, and emphasizes their continued relevance and transformative capacity within architectural design culture. It illustrates how engagement with precedents influences their reinterpretation and adaptation in changing contexts. Villa Savoye, a defining example of Modern Architecture, gained renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through its freestanding washbasin at the entrance. This feature suggested a transitional, hygienic space addressing emerging concerns about sanitization upon returning home. Such recognition highlights how precedents can acquire new meaning when viewed through altered perspectives. Building on the idea that precedents like Villa Savoye offer fresh insights as inquiries evolve, this paper extends discourse on precedent and design. It explores the project’s continued relevance to contemporary architecture, emphasizing adaptability of its design principles. The study assesses the lasting impact of these principles—pilotis, open plan, roof garden, horizontal windows, free façade, and architectural promenade— on both Le Corbusier’s later works and contemporary practices. Through an interpretive-historical methodology, the research integrates primary sources and theoretical critiques to illustrate how evolving perspectives shape the relationship between precedent and design. Comparative analyses examine reinterpretations of these principles in Le Corbusier’s later works and contemporary architecture. Ultimately, this study contributes to architectural literature by framing precedents as dynamic resources that facilitate meaningful dialogue between past and present. It emphasizes their capacity to revitalize architectural culture, generating continuous insights in response to evolving challenges.