1. ArchDaily
  2. Maison de Verre

Maison de Verre: The Latest Architecture and News

10 Things You Didn't Know About Modern Icon Pierre Chareau

Known for his collaboration on the legendary Maison de Verre, French architect, and interior designer Pierre Chareau is a celebrated artist cited by Richard Rogers, Jean Nouvel, and more as a major influence on their work.

Completed in 1932, Maison de Verre—or “House of Glass”—has become a prime example of modern architecture, despite the fact that not many people have actually seen the hidden treasure, located on Paris’ Left Bank.

Although his work is currently viewed in high regard, Chareau had a tumultuous career, with large variances between his successes and his failures.

Drawing from a Cultured Magazine spotlight article on the designer, we have compiled a list of facts about Chareau’s life and career that showcase the rollercoaster of his success.

Continue reading for the 10 things you didn’t know about Pierre Chareau.

A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre

This article was originally published on Metropolis Magazine as "New Retrospective Glimpses the Man Behind the Maison de Verre."

Pierre Chareau was an architect whose buildings have almost all been demolished; an interior designer whose designs have all been remodeled; and a film set designer whose films you cannot see. These are not the most auspicious circumstances on which to mount a retrospective, but an ongoing exhibition at the Jewish Museum, imaginatively designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), attempts it nonetheless.

Chareau, who is best known for his one surviving building, the Maison de Verre in Paris, defies neat classification. Without any sort of architectural training, he worked briefly as a furniture designer for a British firm then struck out on his own, creating an idiosyncratic corpus of furniture, interior designs for life and cinema, and even several homes.

A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre - Image 1 of 4A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre - Image 2 of 4A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre - Image 3 of 4A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre - Image 4 of 4A Look at Pierre Chareau, the Mysterious Man Behind the Maison de Verre - More Images+ 6