Jason Lo ARCH-1390

'Villa Tourner', is a reinterpretation and an evolution of 'Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye'. Much like the old design, Villa Tourner serves as a residential building and uses many of Corbusier's "5 points of architecture", but has been de-constructed, updated and reformed to fit in a much more contemporary context. The old villa has been reconstructed with a new but similar centralised ramp, exemplifying design elements that tie in with architectural features from its predecessor, but at the same time integrates a brand new tornado concept to its physical form.

The tornado element goes hand in hand with the old centralised ramp of Villa Savoye, forming a new but similar centralised architecture. The villa utilises a spiral ramp which links all the levels to one another and acts as a ‘tornado’ - a centralised element that links, draws and pulls individuals upwards through the architecture to the other levels. The ramp goes on to serve as an 'eye' or base, with the surrounding interior/exterior architecture being formed and influenced by this centralised element.

Villa Tourner has three distinct levels, much of which is supported by a number of columns or ‘pilotis’ and much like the old Villa Savoye, uses long open windows for unrestricted vistas and views. The similarities between Tourner and Savoye end there however. Where Villa Savoye is neat, rigid and rectilinear in its exterior and form, Villa Tourner is sharp, fluid and curvaceous with its exterior architecture. Each level of the Villa rotates away from the other in an exaggerated way, creating many cantilevered areas, curved facades and elliptical spaces. The architecture makes uses of these curved facades and utilises quite large open windows to maximise natural interior lighting and also to allow individuals to enjoy unrestricted views.

Individuals first entering the building are immediately drawn in to the central ramp and foyer area and then upwards towards the first and second levels. Maximum sunlight exposure can be had through the first level with a very large window/façade allowing natural light to filter in through the sides and also through the top of the central skylight. Large lateral windows continue around the entire circumference of the elliptical level allowing 360 degrees of near-unrestricted and uninhibited vision to the outside environment. The second level; serving as a place of rest and relaxation, also provides a complete unrestricted 360 degree view and along with maximum natural light exposure.

The new circulation of Villa Tourner mimics that of the old Villa Savoye. They both utilise a centralised ramp that ‘draws’ occupants upwards to the other levels. However, the ramp of Villa Tourner is much more organic with regards to the way it transcends each successive level. As individuals are drawn upwards, they are given glimpses of the outside environment due to the arrangement and physical relationship of the ramp with the circumferential windows around the Villa.