The Cité Frugés in Pessac: transformations of a cultural Heritage

With the “Quartiers Modernes Frugès” Le Corbusier realized in 1924–1926 an urban area where each element, even those who are normally considered minor, is drawn in the detail. He achieves a unitary and orderly landscape: the city for the modern man. This project combined social, functional, technical and aesthetic programs, “Pessac should be a laboratory” Mr. Frugès said. The district is still inhabited today and over the years it has undergone numerous transformations according to its perception and value. In 2016 the site was enlisted as a World Heritage, together with 16 other Le Corbusier’s works and now new future scenarios are opening up. Thus, it is possible to say that the history of this district as a cultural heritage is also a history of his transformation. This paper presents the research and the in situ educational experiences it carried out at the University Iuav of Venice since 2016, in collaboration with the Le Corbusier Foundation and the City of Pessac. During this educational experience, several complementary aspects have been studied at several scales: the houses and their transformations, but also the project of open spaces. The interest for the elements composing the urban space comes also from the observation that they are the largest part of the visitor’s experience today, and they were also at the base of Le Corbusier’s social project.