Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier – Architect, Designer, Visionary of Modernism

Life, Education and Origin of the Name "Le Corbusier"

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known by his pseudonym Le Corbusier, was born on October 6th 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Following an apprenticeship as a clockface engraver at the École d'Art in his hometown Charles-Édouard initially worked in the watchmaking industry; however, driven by artistic and architectural interests he soon turned to building design. He studied at the École d'Art before a series of trips took him to metropolises such as Vienna, Paris, where he worked Auguste Perret, a pioneer of reinforced concrete construction, and Berlin where aside from getting to know Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe he also briefly worked for Peter Behrens, that so important figure in the rise of Functionalist Modernism in the contemporary Germany.

In 1920 Charles-Édouard Jeanneret began using the pseudonym Le Corbusier in the context of the magazine L'Esprit Nouveau, which he founded with the painter Amédée Ozenfant and the poet Paul Dermée. The name is a modern derivation of his ancestors' surname, Le Corbesier. With this pseudonym he not only wanted to maintain the journalistic anonymity common at the time, but also to express his dissociation from traditional design approaches. With L'Esprit Nouveau and the writings published there Le Corbusier established a purist aesthetic and laid the foundations for his architectural theory, which is characterized by clarity, functionality and geometric order.

Le Corbusier died on August 27th 1965 while enjoying a beach holiday on the Mediterranean coast near his holiday home, "Le Cabanon," in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. As early as 1956 Le Corbusier built the so-called Unités de Camping on the Mediterranean coast near Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: three minimalist wooden guest structures created in collaboration with the carpenter Charles Barberis. The Cabanon, a tiny living cell designed according to the specifications of his Modulor system and serving as his personal retreat, was built in 1952—four years before the Unités de Camping. Both projects reflect his ideal of a functional life close to nature.

Architecture and Design: Le Corbusier's Theoretical and Practical Work

A Modernist Manifesto: The Five Points of a New Architecture

The underlying ideas were already present in Le Corbusier's earlier works but it wasn't until 1927 that he and Pierre Jeanneret formulated his famous architectural manifesto, the so-called Five Points of a New Architecture. These principles revolutionized the understanding of construction in the 20th century.

Pilotis (Stilts): They raise the building off the ground, allow free movement beneath the structure, and create space for green spaces or traffic. This decouples the building from the damp ground.

Free Floor Plan: Load-bearing walls are replaced by a supporting grid, allowing for flexible and open interior designs that are not restricted by fixed walls.

Free Facade: Since the facade is no longer load-bearing, it can be freely designed and perforated independently of the supporting structure.

Long Window (Fenêtre en longueur): Horizontal ribbon windows allow even, generous natural light into the rooms and offer expansive views.

Roof Garden: Instead of a traditional attic the flat roof is designed as a usable green space. This serves as a recreational area, improves insulation, and integrates nature into the building.

These five points form the basis of many of Le Corbusier's later buildings and are a central manifesto of modern architecture.

The "Living Machine": Unité d'habitation

Le Corbusier realized his most radical and influential housing concept with the Unité d'habitation, a vertical city. The most famous example is the Cité Radieuse in Marseille, built between 1947 and 1952. The building, which stands on stilts and houses around 340 apartments, was initially considered controversial and was derisively called the "Maison du Fada" (Madman's House) by locals. However, it was later recognized as an architectural icon and listed as a historic monument in 1986.

The principle of the "living machine" is based on Le Corbusier's idea that living can be designed as rationally and efficiently as a machine. The goal was to improve the everyday lives of residents through standardized, functional, and communally oriented architecture – with clear structures, optimal use of space, and integrated social facilities. Le Corbusier realised further Unités d’habitation in Rezé, Firminy, Briey-en-Forêt and Berlin.

Measure and Harmony: The Modulor

To harmonise the human body with the built environment Le Corbusier developed the Modulor – an anthropometric measurement system based on a man's height (originally 1.75 m, later 1.83 m or 6 feet). The term combines the words "modul" and the French "or" (gold) and refers to the golden ratio. The proportions of the Modulor are based on the Fibonacci series and are intended to enable harmonious architecture and design on a human scale. Le Corbusier used the Modulor as a central tool in numerous projects, such as the Cité Radieuse and the factory in Saint-Dié.

International Work and UNESCO World Heritage

Le Corbusier completed 78 buildings in 11 countries and designed nearly 400 projects. His works range from the Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau (1925) and the Sainte-Marie de La Tourette Monastery to the planning of the Indian city of Chandigarh (1956–1961). A total of 17 of his buildings – including ten in France – were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2016.

Design Classics: Furniture by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, and Perriand

The famous furniture designs that became known under the name Le Corbusier are the result of an intensive collaboration between Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier), his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, and the designer Charlotte Perriand. Starting in the late 1920s they jointly developed a furniture series that is still considered the epitome of modern furniture design. The focus was on functional, industrially produced furniture with clear geometry – a complement to contemporary modernist architecture. The LC Collection (also known as the Le Corbusier®, Pierre Jeanneret®, Charlotte Perriand® Collection) is now produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina as part of the Cassina i Maestri series. The initials LC symbolize the trio's teamwork, not just Le Corbusier alone – an important correction of common attributions.

The Fauteuil Grand Confort, petit modèle (LC2) – also known as the "cushion basket" – consists of five separate cushions held by a surrounding steel frame. This separation of structure and upholstery refers to the logic of industrial production and the principles of functionalist construction.

The Chaise longue à réglage continu (LC4), also called the "rest machine," was designed primarily by Charlotte Perriand. Its shape is reminiscent of medical recliners and combines comfort with technical precision. The adjustable frame follows the body's natural reclining position – a prime example of the combination of technology, design, and human scale.

Continuously adjustable chaise longue, better known as the LC4 chaise longue, is produced by Cassina

Le Corbusier's oeuvre includes around 340 pieces of furniture and objects, ranging from purist cabinets (the so-called Casiers) to tables and lamps. Many of these designs were created in connection with Le Corbusier's architectural projects – such as the Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau (1925) or, later, the Unités d'Habitation.

Furniture for his own use – such as the sofa in his Paris apartment, a wooden stool in the Cabanon, or conference tables for studios and projects – were also part of Le Corbusier's design repertoire. His approach: to understand furniture as an integral part of architecture – functional, reduced and durable.