A decade after the death of Oscar Niemeyer, the distinguished Brazilian architect is considered one of the most influential figures in modern international architecture and design in recent times. Born in 1907 and leaving us in 2012, what still keeps grabbing the headlines of the world’s specialized press is that it has inaugurated one of its projects. The pavilion planned for the winery Château The Cost located in the French region of Provence and now open to the public, gives a glimpse of an estate capable of housing one of the most extensive collections of art and architecture in the world, where you can enjoy works of the likes of celebrities such as Frank Gehry, Jean Prouvé, Louise Bourgeois or Richard Serra among many other worthy exponents.
The pavilion itself consists of a gallery of 380 square meters of exhibition space and to be able to host incredible works of the highest world-class, in addition to an auditorium with full capacity to receive 80 people pleasantly and consisting of 140 square meters of space. This architectural mastermind conceived the East project in the period between 2010 and 2013, thanks to an invitation received by Niemeyer himself to carry out this construction on the ground of France and after its technical team conducted the respective technical visits to the site, a posthumous work of great importance, capable of relaunching spaces for art and in a country like France, which is accustomed to maintaining famous architectural works.
France as the architect’s second home
The final site of this magnificent work is the famous vineyard of Château La Coste, which is located in one of the oldest wine-growing areas in France and therefore a majestic reference to the best wines in the world, nestled specifically halfway between the Luberon National Park and the city of Aix-En Provence.
This construction within the vineyard is exclusively posthumously. It, therefore, represents a great opportunity for tribute to the life and work of this famous architect who in life and now after his death continues with the majestic work of continuing to revolutionize the world of design and art through architecture. This inauguration allows the realization of one of the constructions based on one of the architect’s last architectural drawings, allowing the world not to miss the opportunity to enjoy his wonderful creation.
This 200-hectare property presents this pavilion with The pavilion consists of an art gallery accompanied by an auditorium that offers a cylindrical construction and is not presented alone because it has been possible to integrate other pavilions designed by famous architects where it is possible to get the names of Ai Weiwei and Renzo Piano.
A project that summarizes the life of the master Niemeyer
A construction that enjoys being light and with full capacity to adapt in a masterful way to the landscape and the vegetation that surrounds it, being words of the architect Oscar Niemeyer himself to refer to this specific project. This pavilion will achieve full harmony with the building created by the incomparable Frank O. Gehry and Renzo Piano. Together, these creations represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the incredible architectural possibilities offered by these masters of the art.
Although his study and design were completed in 2013, it is only now that this building can see the light of day significantly a decade after the physical disappearance of the Brazilian master, who left us in 2012 at the age of 104 and with an impressive vision representing the design of his latest architecture specially developed for France. Recalling his great gratitude after finding in France the perfect refuge from the dictatorship established in his native country.
The auditorium of the Château La Coste can summarize masterfully in a single construction all the teachings and progress of the architectural work These characteristics present a perfect fusion between the teachings of his famous master Le Corbusier and of course the theories developed in duo with Lucio Costa, which have been a hallmark of the Brazilian architect’s work.
A great coexistence between construction and nature
This pavilion can guarantee a perfect harmony with the orography of the surrounding terrain, as well as with the vineyards. It is designed so that its circular concrete dome can define the entire perimeter of the enclosure, which is completely glazed and projects towards the surrounding landscape. This glass is immersed in an infinity of perimeter pillars, and the heart of the hall integrates a cylindrical work that makes it possible to inscribe on its walls a magnificent red ceramic work produced by a local craftsman, according to the precise instructions of the architect Niemeyer himself.
The creation of the pavilion and the creative mind of Oscar Niemeyer make it possible to enjoy the panorama of the vineyards, giving it the qualification of a work of art in addition to the construction, where, in the architect’s own words, these vineyards represent “a symbol of the presence of man on earth”. This makes it possible to achieve a combination of love for the came with the design and architecture of brilliant works of art so that the senses can enjoy this sensory experience to the fullest, without forgetting the search for the survival of nature and preserving the environment as a global symbol of life.