Le Corbusier has left an enduring legacy through his remarkable career, turning conventional wisdom on its head and ushering in a new era of modern architecture. Let’s delve into some of his most notable creations, found in various parts of the world.
Le Corbusier, a visionary and ingenious architect.
century.
Initially trained as an engraver, Le Corbusier transitioned to architecture during his European travels, which inspired him to reassess urban and residential spaces.
(1923), rejecting traditional styles in favor of pure, geometric shapes. Therein, he outlined the “five points of modern architecture,” which include: pilotis, roof garden, free design of the ground plan, free design of the façade, and long horizontal windows.
Regarding his work on contemporary architecture, despite sparking fierce debates with his unconventional ideas. Moreover, his involvement with authoritarian regimes during the Second World War still raises questions about his moral accountability.
Le Corbusier’s iconic works
Villa Savoye (Poissy, France)
Built in Poissy in 1928-1931, Villa Savoye is a concrete manifesto illustrating the “five points of modern architecture.” Built on pilotis, with an open-design floor plan and façade, the design harmoniously integrates interior and exterior spaces. Long threatened with demolition, it was saved by André Malraux and listed as a historic monument in 1965. Following restoration work, the villa (and its gatelodge), an exemplar of minimal housing, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, testament to the lasting influence of Le Corbusier’s innovative architecture.
villa-savoye.fr
Unité d’Habitation (Marseille, France)
The ideas from this project would later be incorporated into Unité d’Habitation, a building completed in Marseille in 1952. This complex realizes the architect’s vision of a vertical city, featuring 337 apartments plus a range of community facilities such as shops, a kindergarten, a gymnasium, and an interior street that appears to float in mid-air. By offering a comprehensive living environment, the architect aimed to minimize the need for travel and foster social interaction. Characterized by touches of vibrant color, this building, supported by pillars, efficiently utilizes space and maximizes natural light. In the architect’s own words, “architecture is the skillful, correct and magnificent arrangement of forms in space.”
citeradieuse-marseille.com
Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut (Ronchamp, France)
The entire hill on which the chapel stands is currently undergoing renovation, but it remains partially open to visitors.
collinenotredameduhaut.com
Convent of Saint Mary of the Tower (Évreux, France)
Designed as a training center for young Dominican monks, this imposing concrete convent complex features a spacious central cloister, simple monastic cells, a church, and study rooms. With its sleek, geometric design, Le Corbusier created a setting that fosters meditation and a life of simplicity. Whilst a building that has been subject to criticism, this 1960 Brutalist masterpiece still serves as a home for a small community of Dominican friars.
couventdelatourette.fr
Chandigarh, India
A symbol of India’s post-independence modernization efforts, Chandigarh is meant to be both a social utopia and a visual ideal. Le Corbusier, its chief planner, opted away from the typical vertical silhouette of housing units and instead focused on a horizontal design. The buildings are detached homes, open to the outdoors and surrounding nature. With clean lines, geometric shapes, and a bold use of raw concrete, the Capitol Complex is the city’s central and most iconic landmark. It incorporates the Open Hand Monument, which embodies the image of a city “open to receive the wealth created… open to distribute it to its people…”
