Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier Changed the architectural landscape with his use of basic construction materials, geometric shapes, and the manipulation of light and color in his architecture. Charles-Edouard Jeanerette was a French- Swiss architect that was known by the name Le Corbusier. He also was one of the architects that sparked the Modernization of the field. His building like Romchamp, the Convent of La Tourette, and Unite D’habitation became iconic and fundamental symbols of what modern architecture signifies.

Modern architecture is characterized by is minimal use of lines and its open defined floorplans. On the exterior of such building’s large windows and broad overhanging roofs can be seen. While inside the open spaces allow light to travel through the space and the large windows bring the outside in. This form of architecture became increasingly popular during the 1940’s and 1950’s as architects looked for solutions to the increase in population in urban areas. Le Corbusier proposed modern solution to the increase of population with his building Unite D’habitation that incorporated community living solution with supermarkets, shops, community use areas. This building exemplifies the modern architectural characteristics of minimal lines, open floor plans, and large windows. Le Corbusier adds his own flare to his building by using color or stain glass to change the atmosphere inside the buildings. An example of his use of color is in the chapel Romchamp where Le Corbusier painted on the windows. In this chapel the walls are bare, and the furniture is minimal to coincide with the modern aesthetic.

The convent of La Tourette was designed by Le Corbusier for the Dominican monks and as built between 1954 and 1961 with all the modern characteristics mentioned before. Yet it’s plane to see that Le Corbusier used all the techniques he learned in his many years of design to create the convent of La Tourette. He integrates the classical cross pattern many cathedrals us but instead us it as pass from the chapel to the rest of the building. The large windows in the main building provide views of nature and always light to come into the space. However, Le Corbusier controls the way light comes into the Chapel portion of the building by only allowing small spotlights to illuminate the space, and by coloring these spotlights he creates a different atmosphere. The convent of La Tourette was constructed with modern materials in this instance concrete, glass, and steal.

Le Corbusier’s contribution to modern architecture changes the landscape of what communal building and church chapels look like through a modern lens.

References:

Copans, R. [csxlab]. (2012, January 27). 14/23 Le Corbusier - The Cloister La Tourette [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQSozfwZ_5E

Fourth Wall. (2018, June 14). UNITÉ D´HABITATION I LE CORBUSIER I A WALK THROUGH IN 4K [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usdUcwP9lT0&t=1s

Fourth Wall. (2018a, January 25). RONCHAMP I LE CORBUSIER I A WALK THROUGH IN 4K [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkQvR-el3M&t=1s