‘The spot where I swam’ explores the lonliness felt by architect Eileen Gray as she witnessed her house become intangled in drama, damage, and death. Whilst designing E.1027, Gray had a specific design vision, wanting to construct a modern and welcoming space. A space that peo ple felt understood within. A space that would accomodate behaviours. However the construction and use of the villa quickly became messy and her vision was harshly interrupted. My visualisation potrays Gray’s feelings of isolation as her personal relationships became more and more complex throughout this period. I emphasized these feelings by using perspective and composition to highlight the rocks and sea area, as this was where Gray often found small moments of clarity amidst the chaos. The lighting within the image captures a humane presence, but with the setting being at night along with purposeful use of colour, an overriding sense of solitude still exists.

 

“Le Corbusier would die in the spot where I swam, his heart seizing and stopping as he bobbed in the waves below the house.” - Eileen Gray