Yasunari Kawabata
Japanese novelist (1899-1972)
Le Corbusier, a pioneering Swiss-French architect, designer, and urban planner, left a lasting impact on modern architecture. His visionary designs and ideas for better living conditions in crowded cities made him a influential figure in the 20th century, despite some controversial aspects of his work and life.
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About the Le Corbusier
Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (6 October 1887 – 27 August 1965), known as Le Corbusier (UK: l@ kor-BEW-zee-ay, US: l@ KOR-boo-ZYAY, -SYAY, French: [l@ koRbyzje]), was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer, who was one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland to French speaking Swiss parents, and acquired French nationality by naturalization on 19 September 1930. His career spanned five decades, in which he designed buildings in Europe, Japan, India, as well as North and South America. He considered that “the roots of modern architecture are to be found in Viollet-le-Duc”.
Dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities, Le Corbusier was influential in urban planning, and was a founding member of the Congres International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM). Le Corbusier prepared the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India, and contributed specific designs for several buildings there, especially the government buildings.
On 17 July 2016, seventeen projects by Le Corbusier in seven countries were inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement.
Le Corbusier remains a controversial figure. Some of his urban planning ideas have been criticized for their indifference to pre-existing cultural sites, societal expression and equality, and his alleged ties with fascism, antisemitism, eugenics, and the dictator Benito Mussolini have resulted in some continuing contention.
Le Corbusier also designed well-known furniture such as the LC4 Chaise Lounge chair and the ALC-3001 chair, both made of leather with metal framing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer who is considered one of the pioneers of modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and later acquired French nationality.
Le Corbusier was a founding member of the Congrès International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) and designed the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India. He also designed several well-known furniture pieces like the LC4 Chaise Lounge chair and the ALC-3001 chair.
In 2016, seventeen projects by Le Corbusier in seven countries were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement.
Le Corbusier’s urban planning ideas have been criticized for their indifference to pre-existing cultural sites and equality. He has also faced allegations of ties with fascism, antisemitism, and eugenics, which have resulted in continued contention around his legacy.
Le Corbusier designed well-known furniture pieces such as the LC4 Chaise Lounge chair and the ALC-3001 chair, both made of leather with metal framing.
Le Corbusier is considered one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture. He believed that the roots of modern architecture could be found in the work of Viollet-le-Duc, and his designs and ideas had a significant impact on the development of the modern architectural movement.
During his career that spanned five decades, Le Corbusier designed buildings in Europe, Japan, India, as well as North and South America, leaving a global impact on architecture.
7 Quotes by Le Corbusier
- 1.
A house is a machine for living in.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 2.
The home should be the treasure chest of living.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 3.
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 CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 4.
A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe and 50 times: It is a beautiful catastrophe.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 5.
I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 6.
Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)
- 7.
To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order? Function and objects.
Le CorbusierSwiss-French architect, designer, urbanist, and writer (1886-1965)