Eileen Gray’s Other House

Tempe à Pailla from the air Tempe à Pailla from the air

Although Eileen Gray designed over forty buildings in her career only two were built both by her and Tempe à Pailla is the other one. Anyone not familiar with the story of E1027 her first building should take a look as it’s some story.

The Tempe à Pailla is less famous than E.1027 and it’s her second and final building she designed after the breakdown of her marriage to Jean Badovici. Like E.1027 it was looted by the Nazi’s but unlike E.1027 it was not defaced by Le Corbusier.

This was her retreat house from the heartbreak of a broken relationship and frustration at the stealing of her work by Corbusier.

It’s name derives from the proverb;

Avec le temps et la paille, les nèfles mûrissent (With straw and time, the medlars ripen) -via

It’s on the market as I write for about €3.5m. It looks like its conceptually quite similar to E.1027. It has the main living spaces on the upper levels with a balcony. It’s set into the slope pivoted to match the landscape. It’s modernist and minimal with the the light touch of something nautical from the round porthole windows in the bathroom in particular.
⚲ location: 43°47’29.4”N 7°29’60.0”E

All Photos Courtesy of Engel & Völkers

Tempe à Pailla from the garden

Bathroom

Terrrace

Bedroom



Date
October 17, 2024