NEW ARCHITECTURES/NEW LANDSCAPES - PALAIS IDEAL

Ludic Architectures/Ludic Landscapes

Nic Clear

Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval 

1879 - 1923

'Cheval began the building in April 1879. He claimed that he had tripped on a stone and was inspired by its shape. He returned to the same spot the next day and started collecting stones.

For the next thirty-three years, Cheval picked up stones during his daily mail round and carried them home to build the Palais Idéal. He spent the first twenty years building the outer walls. At first, he carried the stones in his pockets, then switched to a basket. Eventually, he used a wheelbarrow. He often worked at night, by the light of an oil lamp."

“what could one do while walking perpetually in the same scenery, unless one starts thinking. To entertain my thoughts I was building a magic palace”. Ferdinand Cheval

http://www.facteurcheval.com/en/home.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Cheval