Much attention was given to the three heavy pillars that support
the roof: fine pebbles were added to the light ochre-colored sand,
brought in from Fontainebleau, near Paris, that was used for the
concrete. “Creating the concrete pillars was unbelievably elabo-
rate,” Mr. Sayer said. “Several attempts at pouring the concrete
were necessary before the tiny stones were spread evenly over
the entire surface. After that, a builder hammered away for days
laying bare stone after stone.”
The same care was taken with the interior: the faceted fireplace
that references the roof’s support pillars in the living room; the
solid wood steps down to the lower level bedrooms; the metal
bas-relief abstractions on their doors — designed by a local sculptor.
This consistent and creative attention to detail, along with the
sculptural profile of the roof and the magnificent experience of
space beneath its spreading parabolas, makes Maison Sayer, in
its entirety, a work of art. n
Kristina Raderschad studied interior design and architecture
in Düsseldorf and worked for Andrée Putman Interior Design
in Paris. She writes for many European magazines, including
Architektur&Wohnen, Form, Elle Decoration and Casa Vogue,
among others. www.kristinaraderschad.de.
68 www.modernismmagazine.com