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Pierre-Richard
Villedrouin
Architect
sustainable architecture Haïti, architecture durable
Le Belvédère
Construction:1972 - 1974
Morne Calvaire
Origins and Design
After returning to Haiti in 1971—having spent 15 years in Mexico and the United States—Villedrouin took up the challenge of building upon a steep slope (with a 100% grade) where Le Belvédère stands. Originally a private residence, it was for many years "the fourth most scenic and romantic restaurant in the world" (according to *Travel & Leisure* magazine, 1980).
This commission by his uncle Roger Armand, pulled the architect away from a burgeoning career in the United States. He never looked back. The audacious result made a name for Villedrouin in the 1970s and continues to be a
striking sight in Pétionville. The cantilevered building is literally anchored to the granite outcrops on the steep slope.The design was inspired by the tools of the soul (*outinam*) and employed a geometric approach defined by trapezoidal and triangular forms. The foundations—complex due to the steep slope—were excavated by hand using chisels and pickaxes. The architect’s father, Emile Villedrouin, an engineer, played a key role in the structural calculations, ensuring the building's stability, Unperturbed by the tragic earthquake of 2010.
Features and Evolution
The Belvédère was designed with two main levels: a large upper floor converted into a public space housing a restaurant, and a lower level dedicated to private living. A long, cylindrical swimming pool—supported by Y-shaped structures and an inverted vault—was added, along with a funnel-shaped rainwater harvesting system, though ultimately only a single reservoir was built.
Access to the pool revealed a granite mountainside, reinforcing the dialogue between architecture and nature. A carefully landscaped garden complemented the site's harmony. A circular parking area facilitated smooth traffic flow, though this was later altered to accommodate the influx of restaurant visitors.
Architectural Perception
Some perceive the building as phallic in shape. However, the architect rejects this interpretation, seeing instead an inverted triangle and a bold response to the site's geology. He also dismisses comparisons to Frank Lloyd Wright’s *Fallingwater*, despite the evident inspiration found in the way the structure projects over the slope. In his view, the Belvédère offers superior spatial richness, having been designed with modest means within the challenging context of Haiti. While he pays tribute to Wright, he maintains: "To each his own." »
Personal Legacy
This building is the starting point of Villedrouin's career in Haiti. Roger Armand wanted to create something beautiful to lure his wife Anne-Marie back home from exile. His nephew Pierre-Richard willed it into being. The architect concludes with a symbolic phrase: "Mwen ka laide, mè mwen ka fè bel bagay"—"I might be ugly, but I create beautiful things"—affirming the value of his work despite some criticism.
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