La Tourette Handle Range | 2021-2022

Designers: Andrew Todd and Bernadett Kaszas, izé Ltd., London, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: izé Ltd., London, United Kingdom

The La Tourette range is based on handles used at Le Corbusier’s Dominican Community of La Tourette. Made from a solid piece of steel and falling under its own weight rather than using a spring, the handle was used at La Tourette on aerator doors (narrow doors designed for ventilation not access) as well as other doors. Andrew Todd of Studio Andrew Todd took careful measurements of this handle and carried out initial modeling, from which izé developed and made the handles in the range. It has modified the mechanism to work well in contemporary buildings.

All the handles are available in the full range of izé finishes. It is the manufacturing design skill of izé that enabled it to create these handles, ensuring that they are as satisfyingly solid and pleasurable to use as the originals. Le Corbusier evidently went on to use the handles on a number of subsequent projects.

Now, thanks to the work done by izé, new generations of designers and building occupiers will be able to experience the pleasure of using them for themselves – without having to travel to France. The handles are available in all the izé finishes. This project epitomizes its approach, marrying art, architecture, and manufacture. It is a triumph of collaboration, design, and making.