LE

CORBUSIER
 MODERN
•
A R C H I T E C T U R E
Modern architecture was based upon new and innovative technologies of
construction, particularly the use of glass, steel and reinforced concrete. The idea that
form should follow function (functionalism), an embrace of minimalism and less is
more.

• Modern Architecture is Architecture that emerged in the 1920s in Europe and the
United States from revolutions in technology, engineering and building materials, and
from a desire to break away from historical architectural styles and to invent
something that was purely functional and new.

• Modern Architecture expresses volume, balance and elimination of ornaments.

USE OF GLASS AND STEEL VOLUME AND BALANCE

 MODERN
•
A R C H I T E C T U R E
The revolution in materials came first, with the use of
cast iron, plate glass, and reinforced concrete, to build
structures that were stronger, lighter and taller.
• The cast plate glass process was invented in 1848,
allowing the manufacture of very large windows.
• The Crystal Palace by Joseph Paxton at the Great
Exhibition of 1851 was an early example of iron and
plate glass construction, followed in 1864 by the first
glass and metal curtain wall.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE

 MODERN
•
A R C H I T E C T U
These developments together led to the first steel-
R E
framed skyscraper, the ten-story Home Insurance
Building in Chicago, built in 1884 by William Le
Baron Jenney.
• The iron frame construction of the Eiffel Tower
in 1889 in Paris, then the tallest structure in the
world.
• In 1853 Francois Coignet built the first iron
reinforced concrete structure, a four-story house
in the suburbs of Paris.
 MODERN
ARCHITECTURE
CHARACTERISTICS :

• The notion that "form follows function", meaning that the result
of design should derive directly from its purpose.
• Simplicity and clarity of forms and elimination of "unnecessary
detail“.
• Visual expression of structure (as opposed to the hiding of
structural elements).
• The related concept of "truth to materials", meaning that the true
nature or natural appearance of a material ought to be seen.
• Use of industrially-produced materials.
• A visual emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines.
• Use of new technologies and new materials.
 LIFE OF LE
CORBUSIER
ABOUT : BORN AS : Charles-Édouard Jeanneret
BORN IN : SWITZERLAND
BORN ON : 6TH OCTOBER, 1887
DIED ON : 27TH AUGUST, 1965
AGED : 77 YEARS (AS OF 1965)
EDUCATION : MUNICIPAL ARTS SCHOOL, LA CHAUX DE FONDS

SELF TAUGHT HIMESELF ARCHITECTURE AND

PHILOSOPHY
MATHEMATICS AND STRUCTURE IN
ARCHITECTURE
AWARDS : LEGION OF HONOUR : 1937
ROYAL GOLD MEDAL : 1953
•The
AIA GOLD villa farve-jacot
MEDAL was the first independent project by
: 1961
architect le corbusier, commissioned in the year 1912, when
the architect was just 25 years old.
•The prestigious mansion is neo-classical and palladian in
FIRST PROJECT : style.
•Corbusier worked on pseudo-symmetry, double heights,
terraces and gardens with ponds.
•The clever use of curves & circular driveway hints to the
 V O C A B U L A RY O F
ARCHITECT
PILOTIS : He replaced the supporting walls by a grid of reinforced
concrete columns that bears the structural load.
GIRD STRUCTURAL PLAN
ROOF TERACES
CUBISM – It refers to the style of architecture using simple
three dimensional forms with plain facades.
BRUTALISM : It is characterized by the massive, monolithic
and 'blocky' appearance with a rigid geometric style and
large-scale use of poured concrete.

CHAPEL OF NORTE DAME DE HAUT Villa Savoye AT POISSY, FRANCE Roof Garden at Villa Savoye AT POISSY
N O TA B L E W O R K S
 V I L L A S AV O Y E AT P O I S S Y,
FRANCE
LOCATION : POISSY, FRANCE

FROM INTERIOR
RAMPS, SEEN
CONSTRUCTION STARTED : 1928

OF VILLA
TYPE OF BUILDING : ORIGINALLY RESIDENTIAL ; CURRENTLY A MONUMENT
VOCABULARY OF ARCHITECT:
PILOTIS
PURIST STYLE
GIRD STRUCTURAL PLAN
ROOF TERACES
“FUSING ASYYMETRY & SPACIAL DRAMA , WITH SKELETAL
CHARACTER AND GEOMETRICAL CLARITY, IT COMBINES
THE SQUARE, THE GIRD, THE AXES, THE FACADES AND ALL
THE OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SPACES, VOLUMES
AND SURFACES. ABOVE ALL, IT MANAGES TO FUSE ALL OF
THESE TOGTHER WHILE MAINTAINING THE UNITY,
HIERARCHY AND AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF DETAILS. “
PRINCIPLES USED IN THE BUILDING
• THE ROOF - IS THE RECREATIONAL GARDEN AREA, WALLS PROVIDES PRIVACY & SHADE,
WHILE OPEN LAYOUT LETS LIGHT INTO THE SPACE
• THE FACADE - WITH NO OUTER RESTRICTIONS, WALLS CAN BE DESIGNED FREELY
• THE WINDOWS - HORIZONTAL ROW OF WINDOWS BREAKS THE WALLS FREES SPACE
• THE PILOTIS - UNLIKE OTHER BUILING OF THE SAME ERA, SAVOYE IS NOT SUPPORTED BY
WALLS, BUT BY ITS PILOTIS.
• THE FLOOR PLAN - OPEN PLAN, WITHOUT SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS, DUE TO PILOTIS
M I L L O W N E R ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
BUILDING
LOCATION : AHMEDABAD, INDIA
CONSTRUCTION STARTED : 1951
TYPE OF BUILDING : EXCLUSIVE OFFICE SPACE
VOCABULARY OF ARCHITECT:
BRISES- SOLEIL - an architectural feature of a
building that reduces heat gain within that
building by deflecting sunlight.
PILOTIS
Promenade architecturale - the observer's pathway through the built space

“USE OF DIAGNOAL BRISES-SOLEIL (SUN-BREAKERS) AND

KEEPING THE SIDE WALLS (NORTH & SOUTH FACADE)
DEVOID OF ANY OPENINGS, THE ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO
THE REAR (EAST FACADE) THAT OFFERS VIEWS of THE
 M I L L O W N E R ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
BUILDING
DESIGN FEATURES AND APPROACH :
• SLENDER BRISES-SOLEIl SCREENS WERE PLACED NORMAL TO FACADE, CAUSING LEAST
OBSTRUCTION.
• THE FINS AND SLABS ARE OF VARYING HEIGHT, AS SEEN IN ELEVATIONS. THESE DEPICT THE VARING
FLOOR HEIGHTS THAT ARE CARRIED OUT FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING.
• THE INTERIOR CONTAINS ROOF GARDENS, CURVED CLIMAXES AND DIAGONAL PLANES, WHICH ARE
FULLY OBSCURED BY THE RIGID AND PLAIN EXTERIOR.
• SECOND LEVEL HOUSES THE AUDITORIUM, A DOUBLY-CURVED STRUCTURE THAT CREATES
ILLUSIONS, AND PLAYS OF LIGHT AND SHADE.
• WALLS LEANING INWARDS, CURVED BALCONIES AND CURVED CEILING FURTHER-MORE IMPROVE THE
ACOUSTICS OF THE STRUCTURE.
• APART FROM THE AUDITORIUM, THE 'Ahmedabad Textile Mill Owners' Association’ CONSIST OF ATMA
BUILDING HOUSES MEETING ROOMS, OFFICES, SEMINAR ROOMS AND EXHIBITON HALLS.

BRISES-SOLEIL AS SEEN FROM INTERIOR

M I L L O W N E R ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
BUILDING
PLANNING IDEAS :
• Rectilinear plan & grid expressed on exterior stands in contrast to the
interior spaces, which are convex and concave volumes.
• The intersection of curvilinear and orthogonal planes create a sense of
compression and release.
• For instance, conference room enclosed by a curved, brick wall
extends from the second story to roof level. Its curved ceiling
reflects light entering through the clerestory window and holds a
reflecting pool above, which le corbusier had hoped to utilize as a
roof reservoir.
• Circulation is designed as promenade, beginning with a ramp from the
parking lot to a three-story void at the volumetric center of the
building. The stair-core projects beyond, & into the exterior
landscape. STAIRCASE TRANSITIONING INTO
EXTERIOR

Floor plans of all 3 levels, depicting ramps, staircases & curved interior walls, along
with brises-soleil on the eastern facade.
 U N I T E D ’ H A B I TAT I O N
LOCATION : MARSEILLE, FRANCE
CONSTRUCTION STARTED : 1920
TYPE OF BUILDING : RESIDENTIAL
VOCABULARY OF ARCHITECT:
PILOTIS
ROOF TERACES
COLOURFULL WALLS IN BALCONY
Unité d'Habitation is arguably the most influential Brutalist building of all time.
Le Corbusier's most famous quote – that a house is "a machine for living in" – and applied it to an entire
community. The result was a self-contained concrete vessel that is structured like an ocean liner.
Le Corbusier believed the tower block was the solution for rehousing the masses that had been displaced
during the second world war, and that high rise building could be used to create spacious city homes with
the same amenities as a typical street.

It was Le Corbusier’s best contribution to a modern typology of social housing

• The building Is situated on 9 acre site on the outskirts of Marseille
• It has an East West Orientation
• It Is 450’ Long, 80’ Wide And 185’ High
• The Partition Walls between the Apartments are load bearing.
• It Is 9 Storey High
• 337 Apartments
 U N I T E D ’ H A B I TAT I O N
DESIGN FEATURES :

NARROW APPARTMENTS USE OF CONCRETE

COLOURED BALCONIES OPEN TERRACE PILOTIS

U N I T E D ’ H A B I TAT I O N

SECTIONS
U N I T E D ’ H A B I TAT I O N

APPARTMENT SECTIONS