Hommage à Pierre Jeanneret

The Chandigarh Collection by Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier

Pierre Jeanneret (right) with Le Corbusier

Chandigarh: A collaborative project with a clear signature

The furniture reissued by Cassina under the name Hommage à Pierre Jeanneret was created in the 1950s in context of the ambitious Chandigarh new city project in northern India, a location which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. While Le Corbusier was responsible for the overall urban planning Pierre Jeanneret, as Chief Architect, was responsible for the on-site implementation – over many years and with considerable autonomy. In addition to the architectural design he also designed furniture for central public institutions such as courts, universities and administrative buildings. These pieces were characterised by functional design, robust materials and simple craftsmanship. They were intended for everyday use and – as part of a comprehensive, collaborative modernisation project – did not bear the names of individual designers.

Why a Homage – and Not Authorship?

Although Pierre Jeanneret played a key role in the design, he is often not credited as the sole designer. This is due to several factors: his close collaboration with Le Corbusier, the incomplete documentation of many designs, and Jeanneret's own modesty. He viewed his work as a service to society, not a means of self-promotion. The term "Homage" is a contemporary appreciation of this attitude: it honours his design sensitivity and his central role in the Chandigarh project without simplifying or exaggerating the complex history of the furniture's creation.

Timeless Design with New Visibility

Cassina is relaunching selected designs from Chandigarh with precision craftsmanship – as a deliberate homage to Pierre Jeanneret. These include two pieces of seating, now known as the Capitol Complex Chair and Capitol Complex Armchair. These names refer to their original location (the Capitol Complex) in Chandigarh's government district. The furniture exemplifies Jeanneret's signature style: formally reduced, with clear lines, yet comfortable thanks to upholstered seat and back cushions. These new editions combine the original design philosophy with high-quality craftsmanship, bringing the quiet modernity of his designs back to life. They demonstrate that Jeanneret's work is more contemporary than ever – functional, clear and uncompromising in its quality.