Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier was born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, in north-western Switzerland in 1887. He was an architect and writer, most famous for his contributions to Modern Architecture.
He is known as one of the most influential and admired architect of the twentieth century. His visions of homes and cities as “factories for living” were innovative and influential. Many ideas for post-war reconstruction were based on his ideas. He strongly believed the twentieth century was an age of progress and engineering and technological advances should spread to benefit everyone.
By 1918, Le Corbusier, in collaboration with artist Amédée Ozenfant, developed a new theory of design based on architecture meeting the demands of the technologically advanced era. Purism led designers to refine and simplify design, ridding architecture of unnecessary and impractical features such as ornamentation. He hoped this factory –line approach to architecture would rid many cities of their chronic housing problems. He was dedicated to providing better living conditions for residents of there over-populated and under-housed areas.
Le Corbusier’s main attraction was towards the visual arts. He studied at the La-Chaux-de-Fonds Art School under Charles L’Éplattenier and René Chapallaz, whose teachings had a large influence on some of Le Corbusier’s early houses.
He travelled frequently around Europe, learning from many along the way. His sketchbooks show he was particularly struck by famous structures such as the Parthenon. He would later praise their forms in his writing.
The name Le Corbusier is a psuedonym, adopted from his maternal grandfather’s name “Lecorbésier”. Adopting a single name to identify oneself was very popular of his era, especially in Paris, where he was based.
In 1918, Le Corbusier began painting, after an influential meeting with Amédée Ozenfant. He did nothing else until 1922, as he concentrated his efforts on his Purism theory and painting.
Le Corbusier died on August 27, 1965 at the age of 78, of a presummed heart attack, after going swimming against his doctor’s orders, in the Mediterranean Sea at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in France.
Many were affected by the influential artist’s death, and homage’s were paid worldwide. Even some of his greatest artistic enemies, recognised the importance of his work.
Examples of Work
Le Corbusier ‘s famous furniture designs include:
Basculant Chair 1928
Grand Confort 1928
Petit Confort 1928
Chaise Longue 1928
Table – Oval Tubular Base 1928
Siege Tournament 1929
