Save Villa E.1027 On July 27, when we went past the celebrated villa E.1027 in Cap Martin designed by Eileen Gray and Jean Badovic (1929), we found it wide open to anyone, completely abandoned, except for some squatters who were in the process of destroying everything breakable - which in this fragile house means total destruction. Perhaps most shocking was to see that Le Corbusier's five murals are completely vulnerable: anyone - perhaps in ignorance of their value could lay hands on the murals and damage them beyond repair. The house itself and the murals are there for now. But for how long? For how many days, hours, ....? There is no need to elaborate again on the value of this house, even though it is now bereft of the poignant beauty of its refined features and the precision of its details, such as the horizontal windows that highlight the wonderful view of the sea, et cetera, et cetera. And above all the brilliant way in which the building is one with its surroundings. Few people have had the privilege of going into the house and actually experiencing the space as it is portrayed in the all too familiar photographs. But this cannot be used to justify the misconception that the existing documentation on the house should be enough to satisfy us. We cannot afford to let this house go to ruins! 1 Because the spatial experience, apart from all these refined features, is unique and breathtaking, especially in relation to the surroundings. 2 Its loss would be a scandal both for France and for architecture, and extremely painful for us as contemporary architects. 3 After all, we architects are greatly indebted to Eileen Gray and her house. 4 From a cultural viewpoint we simply cannot afford to lose this historic house -a key example of this heroic period of architecture - by not coming to its rescue. What's more, it is easy enough to guess why this private property in this particular place is being allowed to go to ruins. The fact that huge sums are spent on restoring art works makes it even more painful to see this insupportable degradation of of a building that is se dear to us. The question is, can nothing be done to prevent the unacceptable destruction of this house and its wall paintings? Herman and Hans Hertzberger give your reaction now or go back to the first page.