Analyzing the Architectural Legacy: The Life and Works of Le Corbusier

This presentation provides an overview of the life and architectural works of Le Corbusier, a highly influential figure in modern architecture. Born in Switzerland in 1887, Le Corbusier's career took off in the 1920s, marked by a blend of functionalism and sculptural expressionism, and his pioneering use of rough-cast concrete. The presentation highlights his initial years, the formation of the International Congresses of Modern Architecture (CIAM), and later international projects, including the city of Chandigarh. Key creations such as Notre-Dame du Haut, Couvent Sainte-Marie de la Tourette, and Unite d'Habitation are showcased, underscoring his lasting legacy. The presentation references academic works that provide further insight into Le Corbusier's impact and contributions to architecture and urban planning.

ARCHITECTURE LE CORBUSIER
Life and Works

Introduction
• Born in 1887 in Switzerland, Le Corbusier was one of
the most respected architectures of the world.
• His works had the combination of both functionalism
and sculptural expressionism
• He was the pioneer of the rough-cast concrete use
• UNESCO has declared 17 of Corbusier’s creations as
world heritage sites in 2016

Initial Years
• He started as a writer obsessed with the creativity
in architecture during 1918
• Corbusier’s career began to take shape and reached
its peak during the period from 1922 to 1950
• Turning point of his career was the 1927 Geneva
competition organized by the League of Nations
• He was denied the first prize controversially by the
jury who cited that he did not use the ‘India Ink’
that was the rule of the competition
• Contd…

Initial Years
• His first major work came right after
the Geneva scandal
• Corbusier created the International
Congresses of Modern Architecture in
1928 as reply to the conservative
architects

The International Congresses
of Modern Architecture (CIAM)
The CIAM was formed in 1928
and continued till 1959 until
finally it was disbanded.
CIAM was a series of
conferences held on
international level by modern
architects

Later Years
• Corbusier’s later years were characterized by a number of international
projects
• His first major break outside France was the construction of the city of
Chandigarh
• The architect built a city that drew the attention of architects worldwide
• He was soon recognized by other countries like Japan and the United
States
• Corbusier died at the age of 77 in 1965 in France but not before he left
behind a legacy of marvelous architecture

Some of Le Corbusier best
creations
•The Notre-Dame du
Haut
•The Couvent Sainte-
Marie de la Tourette
•The Unite d'Habitation,
Marseille
•The Punjab High Court

References:
Chalana, Manish, and Tyler S. Sprague. "Beyond Le Corbusier
and the modernist city: reframing Chandigarh's ‘World
Heritage’legacy." Planning Perspectives 28.2 (2013): 199-222.
Meganck, Leen, Linda Van Santvoort, and Jan De Maeyer,
eds. Regionalism and Modernity: architecture in Western
Europe, 1914-1940. Vol. 14. Universitaire Pers Leuven, 2013.