Villa Aujourd'hui is one of the most striking Modernist residences on the French Riviera and a masterpiece of American architect Barry Dierks. Built in 1938 for Palm Beach socialite Audrey Chadwick, the villa was one of the last expressions of the Modernist style to be constructed on the Riviera before the outbreak of World War II. Its name, meaning 'Today' in French, reflects the forward-looking spirit of its design.
The villa's most remarkable feature is its sinuous front facade, which Dierks gave an extraordinary undulating movement to house service areas on either side of a half-moon motor court. Inside, a suite of reception and living rooms opens onto panoramic views of the Gulf of Juan-les-Pins through large windows with glass panels that slide into the thickness of the walls — an innovative engineering feat for the era. The overall effect is a residence that feels both timelessly elegant and daringly modern.
After the war, the villa seduced Hollywood mogul Jack Warner, who as a temporary owner received major cinema stars there, from Charlie Chaplin to Ava Gardner. The French Ministry of Culture has awarded Villa Aujourd'hui the label of 'Architecture contemporaine remarquable' (Remarkable Contemporary Architecture), recognizing its significance in the history of 20th-century design on the Cote d'Azur.