Le Corbusier

1) His Biography:

Le Corbusier (1887-1965) was a Swiss-born French architect who is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His works, which ranged from villas to urban planning, were characterized by the use of reinforced concrete, open plans, and the integration of natural elements. He was also a painter, sculptor, urban planner, writer, and furniture designer.

Le Corbusier was born Charles-Édouard Jeannerat in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1887. He was the second of three sons born to a watchmaker and his wife. He was educated at the local École des Arts et Métiers and at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris.

Le Corbusier began his architectural career in Paris in 1908, working briefly in the office of Auguste Perret before setting up his own practice. He was heavily influenced by the work of Auguste Comte, a philosopher who promoted the idea of rationalist architecture. In 1922, Le Corbusier published his most important work, Vers une Architecture (Toward a New Architecture), which outlined his theories about how architecture should be approached.

The 1920s and 1930s were a period of prolific activity for Le Corbusier. He designed a number of iconic buildings, including the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France (1929-31), the Villa La Roche in Paris (1923-25), and the Unité d’habitation in Marseille (1945-52). He also designed a number of urban plans, including the Plan Voisin for Paris (1925) and the Radiant City (1933).

Le Corbusier’s career reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. He designed several important buildings, including the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo (1959) and the National Museum of India in New Delhi (1959-63). He was also heavily involved in the design of the new capital city of Chandigarh in India (1951-65).

Le Corbusier died in 1965, but his influence on architecture remains strong. His works continue to inspire architects and designers, who draw upon his theories of modernist architecture and his ideas about how to create harmonious living spaces.

2) Main Works:

La Maison Dom-ino (1914):

La Maison Dom-ino was a revolutionary design created by Le Corbusier in 1914. It was a prototype house constructed from reinforced concrete, with a ground floor, two levels of living space, and an attic. It employed a modular system of construction, and was designed to be quick and inexpensive to build. The house featured open-plan interiors and large windows, allowing for plenty of natural light. It was an important forerunner of modernist architecture.

Villa Savoye (1929):

Villa Savoye was one of the most iconic works by Le Corbusier and is considered a seminal example of modernist architecture. Located in Poissy, France, it is composed of four main levels, with the topmost level featuring a roof terrace. The house was designed with a seemingly floating roof, supported by slender columns, and the main living space was designed around a central courtyard. Large glazed windows allowed for plenty of natural light to enter the house, and the interiors featured open-plan spaces.

Unité d’Habitation (1947):

Unité d’Habitation was a large housing project designed by Le Corbusier in Marseille, France. It was a large-scale, high-density housing complex composed of 337 apartments, featuring a range of amenities and services. It was designed in an open plan layout, with a central atrium, and each apartment had its own balcony. The building also featured a large roof terrace, and the design was intended to promote social interaction and foster a sense of community.

Capitol Complex in Chandigarh (1951):

The Capitol Complex in Chandigarh was a massive urban planning and architectural project designed by Le Corbusier. It was composed of a number of buildings and structures, including the High Court, the Secretariat, and the Legislative Assembly. The complex was designed in a modernist style, with open-plan interiors and large windows to allow for plenty of natural light. The complex also featured public parks, a large pool, and a number of other amenities.

3) Main Themes:

Modular System:

This is a system of proportional measurement that Le Corbusier developed to standardize the dimensions of his architectural elements such as windows, doors, and walls. This allowed him to design buildings that were adaptable to any function and scale.

Pilotis:

Pilotis are concrete columns that support the building and allow for an open first floor, creating a light and airy feel to the building. This system was inspired by the traditional Japanese house, which was elevated off the ground to avoid flooding.

Roof Gardens:

Le Corbusier believed that green space was essential for a healthy living environment. He designed several of his buildings with green roofs, which provided a place for plants and trees to grow, helping to reduce the heat island effect.

Free Plan:

This refers to the idea of eliminating walls and other partitions between rooms, allowing the residents to move freely throughout the building. This concept was inspired by Le Corbusier’s interest in creating an open, flexible environment that could be adapted to a variety of functions.

Open Facades:

Le Corbusier believed that a building should be able to interact with its environment, rather than be completely closed off. He designed buildings with large windows and balconies to facilitate this interaction and allow for natural ventilation.

Functionalism:

This is the idea that the function of a building should dictate its form, rather than the other way around. Le Corbusier believed that the design of a building should be optimized for efficiency, rather than for aesthetics.

4) Corbusier in World War 2:

During the 1930s, Le Corbusier became increasingly vocal about his opposition to the rise of fascist regimes in Europe. He was especially critical of the Nazi regime in Germany, and wrote several articles condemning their policies. This opposition did not go unnoticed, and when World War 2 broke out in 1939, he was arrested and imprisoned by the German occupying forces in France.

While in prison, Le Corbusier continued to work on architectural designs and sketches. He was eventually released in 1941 and returned to Paris, where he began working on plans to reconstruct the city after the war. He wrote numerous articles and books on urban planning and architecture, and his ideas had a lasting impact on the development of the city.

In 1943, Le Corbusier was appointed as a representative of the French government for the Allied forces. He was tasked with helping to plan for the reconstruction of the city and its infrastructure after the war. He worked closely with the military to ensure that the city would be rebuilt in a modern style, and he was instrumental in developing plans for the new housing projects and transportation networks that would be needed in the post-war era.

Le Corbusier also contributed to the war effort in a more direct way. He designed a number of bunkers and fortifications for the French military, and he even designed a prototype for a mobile bridge that could be used to transport troops quickly across rivers and other obstacles. His designs for these fortifications were used in battles across Europe, and his contributions were essential to the Allied victory.

Le Corbusier’s involvement in World War 2 was a defining point in his career. His work during this time showed his commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy, and it helped to shape his later architectural designs. His contributions to the war effort were an integral part of his legacy, and his influence can still be seen in the cities and buildings of today.

5) Post-WWII architecture and Corbusier:

Post-World War II (WWII) architecture saw a dramatic shift in styles and designs, with new materials and technologies being utilized. One of the most influential architects of this era was Le Corbusier, a Swiss-born architect, and urban planner who developed a unique style of modern architecture. He was a pioneer of modernism, utilizing minimalist shapes and forms to create functional and efficient structures.

Le Corbusier’s work had a lasting impact on Post-WWII architecture. His use of modern materials and techniques, such as reinforced concrete, steel, and glass, allowed him to create structures that were both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. His designs were also highly efficient, utilizing open floor plans and horizontal windows to maximize natural light and ventilation. His work also had a strong social and political message, often exploring themes of equality and democracy.

Le Corbusier’s influence can be seen in a variety of Post-WWII architectural styles. Structures such as the Unité d’Habitation, the Ronchamp Chapel, and the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut are examples of his influence on the Brutalist style. The modernist style of the Villa Savoye and the Maison Jaoul are also heavily indebted to Le Corbusier’s work.

6) His Legacy:

Le Corbusier was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His ideas, designs, and theories have had a lasting impact on the world of architecture and design. He was a proponent of modernism and revolutionized the way buildings were constructed, prioritizing functionalism, simplicity, and harmony.

Le Corbusier’s architecture was based on his five points of architecture, which included the use of open plans, the free façade, the horizontal window, the roof garden, and the pilots (the use of reinforced concrete columns). By utilizing these five points, the architect was able to create buildings that were both visually appealing and highly functional. His work incorporated the use of natural light, which he believed was essential for creating a sense of harmony and balance.

His legacy can be seen in many of the world’s modern cities. His influence can be seen in cities such as New York, Tokyo, and Paris, where his principles of modernism can be seen in skyscrapers and other large buildings. Many of his designs have been adopted by other architects and designers, making his influence widespread.

His ideas have also been influential in the development of urban planning. He believed that cities should be planned in a way that allows for easy access to transportation, green spaces, and other amenities. His ideas have been adopted by many cities, allowing them to become more efficient and livable.

The legacy of Le Corbusier is one of innovation and modernism. His ideas and designs have had a profound impact on the world of architecture, urban planning, and design. His legacy will continue to be relevant and influential in the years to come.

7) Some Quotes:

“Architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light.” – Le Corbusier

“A house is a machine for living in.” – Le Corbusier

“The home should be the treasure chest of living.” – Le Corbusier

“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” – Le Corbusier

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep.” – Le Corbusier