luxury listed house for sale Hauts-de-Seine, France

In Meudon, a testament to the avant-garde architecture of the 1950s, André Bloc's atelier-house designed by Claude Parent awaits restoration - listed as a historical monument. Protected by a long surrounding wall and dense foliage, the property stands out with a discreet access point set in a recess. The house was designed between 1955 and 1956 by Claude Parent, the 'architect of the oblique', an advocate for avant-garde architecture serving imagination and utopia. The commission came from André Bloc, a versatile creator, both sculptor, architect, painter, and publisher, who supported the integration of arts into architecture. He had previously had his house built on the same land—the 'Bloc house', whose garden houses the monumental sculptures-habitacles of the artist—he decided to establish his workshop next to it. The atelier-house, named the 'Guardian House', is located below a wooded area of over 2,000 m², with no visibility from neighbors. It is visually hidden from the 'Bloc house' by a screen of bamboo, with the two forming a co-ownership. Combining several materials—stone, concrete, glass, and metal—the Guardian House blends straight, rounded, and oblique lines. Far from the functionalism of classical architecture from the 1950s, it is designed to follow the slope of the land and break away from any symmetry. Unique, it is as much a home as a work of art. Today, it includes, on the garden level, a living room shielded from view where the south and west light is filtered by abundant vegetation, a spacious dining area with a fireplace, and a kitchen. A spiral staircase (designed by Roger Tallon) leads to the upper floor, which features three bedrooms, each opening to the outside through large bay windows, two bathrooms, and toilets. The main bedroom, of significant dimensions, benefits from a terrace surrounded by greenery. A garage is also adjoining the house. The entire property requires a complete renovation to meet current standards while preserving its architectural stance. The large, sloping land provides a wooded and private setting in keeping with the original purpose of the place, which was to encourage retreat and concentration. It also has a disused swimming pool today, which could easily be brought back into service or transformed into an ornamental pond or aquatic garden. The entrance, marked by a red metal gate, evokes Calder's creations, although it was made by Bloc and Parent. The three statues by André Bloc, which are located in the garden—and are not included in the listed ensemble—can be acquired in addition to the price.