Cité de Refuge


La Cité de Refuge is a building in Paris, France designed by the architect Le Corbusier. Since its opening in 1933, it has been occupied by the French Salvation Army. The building, one of Le Corbusier's first urban housing projects, was designated a National Historical Monument of France in 1975.

History

La Cité de Refuge was Le Corbusier's third building for the Salvation Army. It was built between 1929 and 1933 on 12 rue Cantagrel in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The first design meeting occurred in May 1929, and the cornerstone was laid on June 1930.
The facade of the building was severely damaged by bombing during World War II. One bomb in particular, dropped August 25, 1944 in front of the building by the Germans, shattered all of its glass facade. Le Corbusier oversaw repairs to the facade and the addition of a brise soleil between 1948 and 1952.
The building was partially restored in 1975.
The building underwent extensive renovations beginning in 2007, with the work completed in 2016.