From Wexford to the Riviera: Eileen Gray's Architectural Legacy
Faculty Mentor
Amy Potter
Location
Russell Union Room 2041
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
Honors College
Department
Geography
Abstract
Eileen Gray, designer, architect, and pioneer of modern architecture from Ireland, has been forgotten in a field dominated by her male counterparts. This poster provides a summary of findings from a research trip in May of 2025 to her E-1027 villa located on the Southern edge of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. Gray's architectural vision came to life in 1929 after three years of construction in collaboration with architect Jean Badovici. A third party, French architect Le Corbusier made his unwelcome contribution to the villa through graffitied murals, opening the doors to an ongoing debate about authorship and preservation. Over time the E-1027 Villa has been restored to its original design for visitors to tour this historical heritage site. This project explores how Eileen Gray is remembered and represented in heritage spaces, focusing on how her role as the designer is communicated to contemporary visitors. Results encompass a variety of research methods including two guided tours by two different guides as well as interviews with each and an analysis of online visitor reviews from several different sources. Preliminary findings propose that despite the fact that Gray is acknowledged in the visitor experience, her contributions are often overlooked - especially in comparison to Le Corbusier - what geographers have defined as affective inequality. This research contributes to universal conversations about gender equality, architecture, proper accreditation, and politics of memory - investigating how Gray’s legacy has both been remembered and forgotten, and how heritage sites like Cap Moderne are reinforcing this historical erasure.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 3:45 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Judy, Kendall Grace, "From Wexford to the Riviera: Eileen Gray's Architectural Legacy" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 262.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/262
From Wexford to the Riviera: Eileen Gray's Architectural Legacy
Russell Union Room 2041
Eileen Gray, designer, architect, and pioneer of modern architecture from Ireland, has been forgotten in a field dominated by her male counterparts. This poster provides a summary of findings from a research trip in May of 2025 to her E-1027 villa located on the Southern edge of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. Gray's architectural vision came to life in 1929 after three years of construction in collaboration with architect Jean Badovici. A third party, French architect Le Corbusier made his unwelcome contribution to the villa through graffitied murals, opening the doors to an ongoing debate about authorship and preservation. Over time the E-1027 Villa has been restored to its original design for visitors to tour this historical heritage site. This project explores how Eileen Gray is remembered and represented in heritage spaces, focusing on how her role as the designer is communicated to contemporary visitors. Results encompass a variety of research methods including two guided tours by two different guides as well as interviews with each and an analysis of online visitor reviews from several different sources. Preliminary findings propose that despite the fact that Gray is acknowledged in the visitor experience, her contributions are often overlooked - especially in comparison to Le Corbusier - what geographers have defined as affective inequality. This research contributes to universal conversations about gender equality, architecture, proper accreditation, and politics of memory - investigating how Gray’s legacy has both been remembered and forgotten, and how heritage sites like Cap Moderne are reinforcing this historical erasure.
