E.1027: Maison en bord de mer a prototypical vacation residence

Abstract

The house by the sea — Maison en Bord de Mer — formed the basis of Eileen Gray’s spatial research, in this case applied to a vacation residence. The subsequent sequences of programmatic and typological researches into summer vacation facilities exemplifies Eileen Gray’s interest in generalizing the comprehension and acceptance of compact places of abode during vacations. Her ability to thoroughly project a comprehensive and mutually supportive program for a large organization such as a vacation center was the ultimate result of these paths of research. Even though the project was never realized, its timing and documentation proves Eileen Gray’s pioneering spirit.