L'école maternelle de l'unité, built in 1968, by Le Corbusier is a kindergarten and elementary school located on the top two floors of a 19-story housing block planned as a utopian community in the working-class town of Firminy, near Lyon. The classrooms are organized along a long hallway, all oriented in one direction. The walls of the hallway, opposite the classrooms, are pierced with multi-colored windows scaled for children's height, a touch that adds a great deal of color and play of light to the interiors. Classrooms feature specific activity zones, delineated by the built-in furniture, including reading circles. Throughout, the architecture, fixtures, and all furnishings are scaled for the young students. The interiors are extremely well-suited for interactive, activity-based learning that fosters community.
Malene Birger: A Masterclass in Timeless Design and Nomadic Elegance Malene Birger embodies an exquisite blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and eclecticism. Renowned as a fashion designer and founder of iconic brands, she has seamlessly transitioned into the world of interior design, redefining how we view and utilize our living spaces. A Nomadic Vision Birger’s approach is rooted in versatility and reinvention. Her favorite furniture and décor pieces travel with her like cherished companions, adapting effortlessly to different spaces—from a sympathetically renovated finca in Mallorca to an Edwardian flat in London and back to Copenhagen. Each piece finds new life, seamlessly transforming a bedroom into a lounge or a desk into a bathroom accent. Design Philosophy At the heart of her design ethos lies a love for traditional craftsmanship paired with modern sensibilities. Her newest book, Move and Work , offers an intimate glimpse into her three homes and her Copenhagen showroom,...