Le Corbusier, the Essential French Architect

Le Corbusier

Paris, 1925. In his workshop on rue de Sèvres, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, draws the future of modern architecture. A revolutionary Swiss-born architect who became a naturalized French citizen, this man with the black bow tie does more than design buildings: he reinvents the art of living in the 20th century. Architect, urban planner, painter, and theorist, Le Corbusier lays the foundations of radical modernity that continues to shape our urban environment.

Background & Formation: The Awakening of a Visionary

Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds into a family of watchmakers, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret grew up at the heart of the Swiss watch industry, a universe of precision that would permanently mark his conception of architecture. Trained at the Art School of his hometown under the direction of Charles L’Eplattenier, he discovered architecture and the observation of nature.

His travels transformed his vision: Italy revealed the lessons of Antiquity, the Orient dazzled him with its vernacular architectures, Germany exposed him to industrial avant-garde. In Paris from 1917, he collaborated with Auguste Perret, master of reinforced concrete, then with Peter Behrens in Berlin. These encounters forged his philosophy: architecture must respond to the new needs of modern man through refined aesthetics and innovative techniques.

Works & Iconic Creations

The LC1 Chair (1928): Revolution of Modern Furniture

In 1928, Le Corbusier partnered with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand to create the LC1, a revolutionary chair that embodies his philosophy: “A chair is a machine for sitting.” Its structure of bent chrome-plated steel tubing, supporting a leather seat with refined lines, breaks with the bourgeois aesthetics of the 19th century.

The technical innovation is fascinating: continuous frame bent cold, elastic strap system providing unprecedented flexibility, ergonomics conceived according to Perriand’s anthropometric studies. The contrast between chrome metal and warm leather creates this sophisticated harmony, signature of architectural purism developed with Amédée Ozenfant.

LC1 “Reclining” Chair (1928), designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand — chrome-plated steel tube structure with reclining seat and backrest, leather or canvas.

Presented at the 1929 Salon d’Automne, the LC1 conquered the international avant-garde. Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius, Eileen Gray immediately adopted this furniture that dialogued perfectly with their architectural creations. Published today by Cassina, it remains an absolute reference of modern design.

The LC2 Chair (1928): Modern Seating

Created simultaneously with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, the LC2 transposes architectural aesthetics to the scale of the object. Chrome steel structure, leather cushions, pure geometry: this “poetic reaction chair”, according to its creator’s expression, revolutionizes the art of sitting by reconciling ergonomic comfort and industrial beauty.

The LC2 is distinguished by its modular design and ability to adapt to contemporary spaces. Its international commercial success testifies to the accuracy of this functionalist approach applied to everyday furniture.

LC4 Chaise Longue (1928) by Le Corbusier & Perriand, elegant fluidity of modernist design.

Villa Savoye (1928-1931): Architectural Manifesto

Erected in Poissy, this residence crystallizes the Corbusian revolution. Villa Savoye embodies the five points of new architecture: pilotis freeing the ground floor, free plan, free facade, ribbon windows and roof terrace. More than a house, it’s a laboratory of modernity where each element responds to perfect functional and aesthetic logic.

Unité d’Habitation in Marseille (1947-1952): The Vertical City

This building of 337 apartments revolutionizes collective housing. The Unité d’Habitation transposes the principles of the Radiant City: through apartments, interior streets, integrated services. The Modulor, proportional system based on the human body, determines each dimension. This sculptural architecture proves that social housing can achieve exceptional quality.

The Unité d’Habitation in Marseille (1952) by Le Corbusier: colored facade, pilotis at the base, visible loggias, in a setting of green spaces.

Chandigarh (1951-1965): Urban Utopia

Capital of Indian Punjab, Chandigarh represents the culmination of Corbusian urban theories. This new city applies the principles of the Athens Charter: functional zoning, separation of traffic, abundant green spaces. Despite climate adaptation challenges, Chandigarh remains an exceptional urban laboratory, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp (1950-1955): Sculptural Spirituality

Spectacular break with the purism of the 1920s, this chapel reveals an expressionist Le Corbusier. The curved concrete walls, ship’s hull roof and irregular openings create a mystical space of rare intensity. Ronchamp demonstrates concrete’s capacity to express emotion and transcendence. This design is definitely more organic than

Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp (1955) by Le Corbusier: concrete sail roof, curved white walls, luminous interstices — emblematic work of modern sacred architecture.

The Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut at Ronchamp (1950-1955) indeed represents Le Corbusier’s most organic phase. It’s a striking departure from his earlier geometric purism of the 1920s-1930s.

The chapel’s design is remarkably sculptural and fluid:

• Curved concrete walls that seem to flow naturally
• Ship’s hull-inspired roof that appears to float
• Irregular window openings of varying sizes that create dramatic light effects
• Organic integration with the landscape rather than imposing geometric forms

This marks Le Corbusier’s evolution from the rigid “machine for living” philosophy to a more expressive, almost biomorphic approach. The building feels carved rather than constructed, more like a work of sculpture than traditional architecture.

It’s fascinating how this same architect who created the ultra-rational LC chairs and the geometric Villa Savoye could later design something so emotionally driven and organically shaped. Ronchamp shows Le Corbusier embracing the plastic possibilities of concrete to create spaces that speak to the soul rather than just function – a perfect example of how great architects can reinvent themselves while maintaining their essential genius.

The chapel remains one of the most photographed and influential religious buildings of the 20th century precisely because of this organic, almost mystical quality!

 

Style & Vision: Purism and Poetic Functionalism

Le Corbusier’s work is characterized by a search for formal purity in service of functional efficiency. His creations draw from a rigorous geometric vocabulary: simple volumes, smooth surfaces, right angles. This purist aesthetic finds expression in buildings with harmonious proportions.

Master of reinforced concrete, Le Corbusier reveals the plastic qualities of this industrial material. He develops raw concrete (béton brut) which would influence the entire brutalist movement. His colors gradually enrich with primary blues, reds and yellows, creating architectural polychromy of striking modernity.

Collaborations & Networks: The Workshop of Modernity

The workshop on rue de Sèvres becomes the laboratory of European modern architecture. Charlotte Perriand develops the art of modern equipment, Pierre Jeanneret ensures technical realization of projects, while collaborators like André Wogenscky or Fernand Léger enrich interdisciplinary reflection.

His industrial partnerships revolutionize furniture production. Cassina publishes his emblematic creations today, perpetuating the innovative spirit of the workshop. His collaborations with manufacturers like Bofinger or Heidi Weber testify to his will to democratize modern design through mass production.

Market & Valuation: Heritage Investment

New purchases: Official Cassina reissues maintain the excellence of Corbusian creations. The LC2 chair sells for around 3,200 euros, the LC4 chaise longue around 3,800 euros, while the LC6 table ranges from 2,400 to 4,500 euros depending on finishes.

Vintage market: Period vintage pieces reach exceptional valuations. A complete LC2 set from the 1960s can exceed 25,000 euros at auction. Original drawings and plans trade between 5,000 and 150,000 euros. The record goes to a complete furniture set from Villa Church, sold for 480,000 euros at Christie’s in 2007.

Heritage & Influence: Global Impact

Le Corbusier’s influence on contemporary architecture remains considerable. His principles have inspired generations of architects, from Oscar Niemeyer to Tadao Ando, including Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel. His approach to reinforced concrete influences today’s creators like Peter Zumthor, Álvaro Siza or Lacaton & Vassal.

The Le Corbusier Foundation preserves his work from his house-workshop in Boulogne-Billancourt. Seventeen of his achievements are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, recognition of his exceptional contribution to modern architecture. His theoretical writings, notably “Towards an Architecture” and “The Athens Charter,” remain references in global architectural education.

Conclusion: The Eternal Modernity of a Genius

Le Corbusier remains an essential designer because he anticipated the mutations of industrial society while creating an architectural language of timeless beauty. His legacy presents contrasting facets: while his individual creations – Villa Savoye, LC furniture, Ronchamp – achieve formal perfection, the interpretation of his urban theories in the large housing estates of the 1960s-1970s proves more problematic.

This lesson illuminates contemporary architecture: innovation must preserve human and cultural dimension. In the era of climate urgency, his reflections on urban density and building industrialization resonate with burning relevance. His work reminds us that authentic architecture must reconcile technical innovation and aesthetic emotion to create spaces that elevate the human soul.