This new film explores the radical legacy of architect and interior designer Eileen Gray and her iconic seaside villa, E.1027

Few buildings have captured the imagination of the design world quite like E.1027, the modernist villa created by legendary Irish architect and designer Eileen Gray in the 1920s. With its crisp geometry, sea-facing terraces, and carefully considered interiors, the house has become a touchstone of early modern architecture. A new film, E.1027: Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea, offers an intimate look at the villa and the woman behind it, tracing the story of an icon often overshadowed in her time.

A stylish docufiction, the film is a celebration of Gray’s vision and a reflection on how her legacy has been shaped by decades of creative conflict. Shot on location at E.1027 and across Europe, the film brings together architectural history, archival footage and original storytelling to paint a fuller picture of Gray’s life and work. Director Beatrice Minger will be in conversation about the making of the film at Curzon Bloomsbury on 4 June 2025.

Eileen was a rare figure in early 20th-century design, working across architecture, interiors and furniture at a time when few women were given space in the field. E.1027 was her first architectural project, and she approached it as a complete work of art. From the layout of the building to the design of the door handles, every element was made with the user in mind. It was an approach rooted in empathy and care, setting her apart from many of her male contemporaries.

Despite this, Gray's authorship of E.1027 was long contested. The house was famously altered by Le Corbusier, who painted murals on its walls without Eileen's permission, sparking a long-running debate about creative ownership. The film revisits this episode with a fresh perspective, asking wider questions about power, authorship, and the historical sidelining of women in design.

E.1027 made its world premiere at CPH:DOX and has since screened at major festivals including Dok.fest München and the Dublin International Film Festival. For today’s creative community, Gray’s story is as relevant as ever. Her work prefigures many of the ideas shaping design today, from cross-disciplinary practice to human-centred thinking. Her legacy is ultimately a reminder of how visionary work can outlast the structures that try to contain it.

To book tickets for the Q+A event at Curzon Bloomsbury visit Curzon's website, and discover all other available screenings here.