René Schneider’s sheepfold, Corsica

For his friend René Schneider, one of the co-founders of the CEMAMU (Centre d’Études de Mathématique et Automatique Musicale) Xenakis restored a sheepfold in Corsica, comprising two ruined buildings, to which he added a small extension. We can fin a Xenakis’ touch, such as the “neumatic” openings of the house of Mâche in Amorgos and a canon of light on the roof. The roofs of the existing sheepfolds are raised 12 cm above the load-bearing walls, allowing light to enter through windows inserted in the gap. The large curved reinforced concrete roof – a distant memory of the forms designed by Le Corbusier for the Chapel of Ronchamp and for the terrace roof of the Maison de la Culture in Firminy or for the entrance to the Unité d’habitation in Marseille – shelters the entrance and provides the shade so appreciated in Mediterranean countries.