VIRB

So, in addition the little school on top of the building, Le Corbusier also wanted to have shops and things in the building as well. Unfortunately, none of them are still active businesses, but its a pretty good idea.

This is the view as you walk into the lobby-

The big curved concrete counter was actually a boulangerie. So, on the way in or out, you could pick up your bread. The little shop in the background was probably a tabac or paperie.

One thing that was cool about this boulangerie is that they would deliver the bread. And Le Corbusier even built something into the building to facilitate that-

Thats a picture of Erwan and Delphine's door (if memory serves they were all green, red, blue or yellow) and the little black box next to it is actually a little cupboard. The boulanger would have a key, come by and deposit your bread. And on the inside of the apartment-

- you had your own little door where you could retrieve it. I probably should have taken a picture of it open, but you know, it wasnt much to see. Cool idea though.

And one other design thing- the hallways were really wide, about the width of one of your small village streets. But he kept it dark intentionally, not to discourage loitering but more to encourage you to invite your neighbors in-

All those colored boxes are the mailboxes, and thats the mail cart there. And people really started streaming out to get their mail too. Probably waiting on some French socialist handout, and I say that replete with envy.

Last one coming up...