The formation of “form” and the “decoration” of space in Charlotte Perriand, part 1: Theory and practice of “en Forme (in shape)”

This paper aims to clarify the formation process of concept “form” from 1920s 1930s by chronologically tracing creation Perriand's furniture. That is, analyzing key terms “equipment,” “art brut” and “en forme (in shape),” this examines how generation transformation steel pipe furniture as “form,” which was considered “new decoration.” When Perriand pursued possibilities dualisms industrial natural materials were not at issue. she sought in form induce “control” a gesture, geometrical limited inhibited it. “En forme” liberate threshold gesture that defines. Being “controlled” matter, rather than humans, could give rise unexpected uses. It practice her decoration,” development Le Corbusier's “equipment” kind interior “decoration” regulate typological gestures humans.