Le Corbusier (and modernism) 2

De Stijl (The Style)

"the style" Wanted to remake society after WWI Art as a means of redemption (utopian) RED BLUE CHAIR Simplicity in construction - wanted mass production Size of wood were standard lumber sizes a the time Beyond Comfort Furniture should improve well-being and comfort of the spirit Utopian ideas of design's power following WWI

Five Points of Architecture

1. Pilotis 2. Flat roof terrace 3. Open plan 4. Ribbon windows 5. Free façade

Dom-ino

Abandonment of total design - the architect is no longer a visionary, just a facilitator Inhabitants could decide where the walls should go Became structural base for homes he would design in the future "With this design there's a transition from Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts and the Vienna Secession. We're shifting into Modernism."

Le Corbusier (1887-1965)

Early life Studied watching engraving (like his father) Found his passion in architecture Early Projects Early work was Swiss vernacular Influenced by regional design and Art Nouveau Discovered classical proportions - later applied to modern architecture Moved to Paris in 1917 Started L'Espirt Nouveau Magazine w/ his cousin Celebrated modernity Believed it was a new modern world & everything had to be transformed to fit it

CITE FRUGES HOUSING PROJECT

FRANCE (1924) LE CORBUSIER Background 51 houses for workers, 7 different templates: reduce construction cost, Rooftop terraces 5-points of architecture After Completion Some workers refused to live there (too avant-garde), Other made changes Many fell into disrepair But, still lived in today bottom line: no one asked the people who were going to live in them what they wanted. They worked in a factory and didn't want to live in one too.

Villa Savoye problems

Heating systems wasn't adequate Multiple leaks Savoye family threatened legal action Called the house Inhabitable "There were, however, some issues with the design, While it remains one of the most well-known examples of Modernism, its important to note the aspects that were less successful as well."

Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier, France, 1928

Modern French Country House One of the most important architecture precedents in history. Detached from its physical context Machine for living Open Plan Organization Lower level has a curved glass façade - size of Car's turning radius Living areas are in upper volume Outdoor terrace on roof (communal space) Five Points of Architecture 1. Pilotis 2. Flat roof terrace 3. Open plan 4. Ribbon windows 5. Free façade this house conforms to Five Points

Unite D' Habitation, Le Corbusier, France, 1945

Multi-Family Housing After WWI, big need for housing First large scale project by Corb Housed 1,600 people over 18 floors Vertical Garden City Private spaces w/ public areas to eat, exercise, and gather (mixed use) Most communal spaces were on the roof: Running track, garden, kindergarten, pool

schroder house (1925)

NETHERLANDS - GERRIT RIETVELD De Stijl Model Only building designed in complete accordance w/ De Stijl principles Primary colors and pure ideas Flexible space - portable partitions Effective Modernist Design Mrs. Schroder Schrader lived in the house for 60 years Kid-friendly (3 children) Collapsible walls on the upper floor could be open for play Paint colors dictated functions/spaces Livable Modernism - functional and livable Specific paint colors were used to distinguish different spaces or functions. The front door, is painted black because it would likely receive the most wear.

NOTRE DAME DU HAUT (1955, FRANCE)

Ronchamp Chapel New Catholic church to replace one destroyed during WWII Church reformers wanted a new image Sculptural object - meditative and reflective Unique Chapel Unique in Corb's work - departs from machine aesthetic Site-specific response Use of stained glass and light " Very sculptural form. Built in the country side. Imbued with religious symbolism "

Maison Dom-ino

Solution to post-WWI reconstruction: Pre-fab elements (housing assembly line) Concrete slabs and columns Abandonment of total design: finished by owner "Called this bc the houses could be joined end-to-end like dominoes, means (house) (innovation) By 1914, 1/5 of Belgium were homeless, Corbs proposed this solution. Wanted to patent the idea (a skeleton that would be finished on site) and create a housing assembly line. He wasn't' able to find financial backers and had to abandon the idea.

Modernism (did it work)

Then we must ask, is Modernism only for the wealthy? Many famous modern villas were vacation homes (not primary residences) for the wealthy. Cite Fruges suggest Modernism isn't for everyone. But Unite D'Habitation was quite successful during its time. So the answer isn't as clear as it may appear As early as 1929 critics referred to the project as a "serious disappointment" Inhabitants modified Corbusier's design Closed balconies Painted the white facades But was that bad? Interestingly, thought Cite was panned during its time, people were able to make some adaptions and customizations and generally also enjoy living there, even to this day.

De Stijl (The movement)

important movement associated with Modernism. a chair and a residence. Netherlands-based movement Embrace simple geometry and primary colors Partly a reaction against Art Deco Applied style to architecture, art, furniture, ect Leaders Artist: Piet Mondrian Theo van Doesberg Architectures: Gerrit Rietveld J.J.P Oud