Georges Adilon's houses, published by CAUE du Rhône
While one of the natural missions of the CAUE (Conseil d'Architecture, d'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement) is to raise awareness among, and inform, the general public, the same applies to professionals. The CAUE du Rhône has paid tribute to Georges Adilon, an architect from the region who, throughout his career, defended his projects with conviction and fought a succession of planning permission refusals. He belongs to that little-known elite of provincial architects whose work deserves attention.
This book traces the work of the architect Georges Adilon, in particular his individual houses. He became an architect almost by accident, when he was refused a grant on the grounds that he had used unapproved prefabricated elements by Jean Prouvé. For the artist and painter, that disappointment awakened an interest in architecture. "With architecture, I immediately felt that I had escaped the hold of the blank canvas".
The book, introduced by a foreword from Claude Parent, presents the metamorphic world of his buildings from 1960 to 1990. Produced with the help of the architect's family, it includes many extracts from the correspondence between Georges Adilon and his clients. It reveals the difficulties he had in obtaining planning permission, which led him to restrict himself to extensions and interior projects towards the end of his career.
The book is also a valuable source of documentation. Enriched with numerous plans and sketches, it helps the reader understand the organisation of spaces that may look simple in elevation but prove complex in plan. His work is not limited to the structure, in concrete, the architect's favourite material, but extends to shelving, fireplaces or simply seating. The architect did indeed design from the inside out: the outward form is merely the result of the interior cocoon created for the client.
The book is available from the CAUE du Rhône or from specialist bookshops.
- Author: Philippe Dufieux
- Publisher: CAUE du Rhône
- Photographs: Blaise Adilon
- Release date: December 2011
- ISBN: 978-2-912533-22-7
- Pages: 152
- Format: 19.5 × 23 cm
- Price: €20