In 2008 seven countries, including Belgium, submitted an application to UNESCO to recognize a part of the work of Le Corbusier as world heritage. Now finally some progress was made, which is also good news for the House Guiette, the only Belgian building designed by the Swiss-French architect.

Painter René Guiette had a house built in 1926 on the Populierenlaan in Wilrijk. It had to serve both as a residence and a studio. Guiette named it Les Peupliers but today it is known as the house Guiette. Architect Le Corbusier proved with this house that his theoretical Maison Citrohan could also be realized with restrictions such as the available budget, the wishes of the client and the building regulations of the city.

The house was built under the supervision of the Antwerp architect Paul Smekens. For Le Corbusier, colors were an important element to emphasize the architecture. Therefor he determined the color palette for the new home himself on the spot in May 1927. He opened up the spaces by giving all the walls a different color per room and by giving all parallel walls throughout the whole house the same color.

"Exceptional contribution to development of modernist architecture"

In 1978 the House Guiette was protected as a monument. Fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester bought the property in 1983. After years of vacancy she had the Antwerp architect Georges Baines built a studio next to it. Today, Demeulemeester and photographer Patrick Robyn still own one of the most important designs by Le Corbusier.

Next to Belgium, the seventeen buildings designed by Le Corbusier which may be recognized as world heritage are located in Argentina, Germany, India, Japan and of course, France and Switzerland. After objections from Unesco in 2009 and 2011, the ICOMOS advisory body now says they “represent an exceptional contribution to the development of the modernist architecture style”. The final decision on the granting of the status as world heritage is taken between 10 and July 20 in Istanbul.

Curious about the interior of the only Belgian house designed by Le Corbusier? Click below for a quick tour!