Introduction

The Maison de Verre was designed by Pierre Chareau in Paris from 1928 to 1932 for gynaecologist Dr Jean Dalsace and his wife, Annie Dalsace. In addition to the comprehensive use of glass as a building material, the building is notable for its free plan and the incorporation of a gynaecology clinic into the main body of the house. Where the bodies depicted in the Large Glass are engaging in spatial events, captured onto its flat surfaces, the Maison de Verre, a real house, has memories impressed onto its objects and spaces, which operate as clues to its inhabitants. History and design are usually seen as wholly different pursuits. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores procreative restrictions and Dr Dalsace's own history as a progressive research gynaecologist.