MODERN ARCHITECTURE PRESENTED

BY- DARSHI
DHAVAL

Le Corbusier

SUB:
HOA

SEM:6

SUBMITTED
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TOPICS TO BE COVERED

 MODERN ARCHITECTURE
 INTRODUCTION
 KEY CHARACTERISITIS
 MODERN ARCHITECT

 LE CORBUSIER
 INTRODUCTION
 PROJECTS TIMELINE
 PHILOSOPHY
 EXAMPLES
Introduction

• Modern architecture emerged in the early 20th century, representing a significant

departure from traditional styles. It was characterized by a focus on functionality,
simplicity, and the use of new materials and technologies.

• Modern architecture has had a profound and lasting influence on the built
environment. The focus on function, minimalism, and the use of industrial materials
transformed not just residential and commercial buildings, but also urban planning
and city design. Modernist principles paved the way for many of the innovative
structures we see today, from towering skyscrapers to cutting-edge public spaces.

• While the rigid, unornamented forms of early modern architecture have been
criticized for their perceived lack of warmth or human scale, modernism remains an
essential part of architectural history. It continues to evolve, influencing
contemporary architects who build on its principles while integrating new
technologies and sustainability concerns.
KEY CHARACTERISITIS

Form Follows Function: This core principle dictates that the design of a building
should be primarily driven by its intended use. Ornamentation is minimized, and
emphasis is placed on creating efficient and functional spaces.

Simplification of Form: Modern architecture embraces clean lines, geometric shapes, and
a rejection of excessive ornamentation. The focus is on creating a sense of order and
clarity through simple, unadorned forms.

Use of New Materials: Architects embraced innovative materials like steel, concrete,
and glass, which allowed for new structural possibilities, larger windows, and a more
open and airy feel.

Open Floor Plans: Interior spaces were designed to be open and flexible, with fewer
internal walls to create a sense of spaciousness and flow. This encouraged a more open
and interconnected way of living.

Emphasis on Natural Light: Large windows and open floor plans maximize the use of
natural light, creating a brighter and more inviting interior environment.

Integration with the Environment: Some modern architects sought to integrate their
buildings with their natural surroundings, emphasizing harmony between the built and
natural worlds.
MODERN ARCHITECT

Le Corbusier: One of the most influential architects of the

modern movement, Le Corbusier was a pioneer in the development
of functional, efficient architecture. His designs emphasized
the use of modern materials, a focus on form and functionality,
and the integration of the building into its surrounding
environment.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Known for his famous dictum "less is
more," Mies van der Rohe contributed significantly to modernism
with his minimalist approach to architecture. His use of open
spaces, glass, and steel became key features of the modern
movement.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Although not strictly a modernist, Wright’s

work had a major influence on the development of modern
architecture. His innovative use of organic architecture, which
aimed to create harmony between human habitation and the natural
world, is exemplified in his famous design, Fallingwater.

Walter Gropius: As the founder of the Bauhaus school of design,

Gropius played a central role in shaping the course of modern
architecture. The Bauhaus was a place of experimentation, where
art, craft, and technology were combined to create a new
language of architecture and design.
Introduction

• Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (6 October 1887 – 27

August 1965), known as Le Corbusier was a
Swiss-French architect, designer, painter,
urban planner and writer, who was one of the
pioneers of what is now regarded as modern
architecture.

• He was born in Switzerland to French speaking

Swiss parents, and acquired French nationality
by naturalization on 19 September 1930.His
career spanned five decades, in which he
designed buildings in Europe, Japan, India, as
well as North and South America. He considered
that "the roots of modern architecture are to
be found in Viollet-le-Duc".

• Le Corbusier’s impact extended beyond

individual buildings to the planning of entire
cities. His Ville Radieuse (Radiant City)
concept proposed a utopian vision for urban
planning that featured high-rise buildings set
amidst green spaces, with efficient
transportation systems and a clear separation
between residential, commercial, and
industrial areas. His ideas for city planning
sought to improve living conditions, reduce
overcrowding, and promote social well-being
PROJECTS TIMELINE

• Early Career (1905-1914):

Focus on Domestic Architecture: Early projects focused on private residences, exploring
early modernist ideas.
Key Projects: Villa Fallet (1905-1906), Villa Stotzer (1907-1908), Villa Jeanneret-Perret
(1912)

• Development of Modernist Principles (1914-1922):

Exploration of New Materials: Experimented with reinforced concrete and other modern
materials.
Key Projects: Villa Schwob (1916), Dom-ino House (theoretical project)

• Purism and the "Five Points" (1922-1931):

Formulation of "Five Points of Architecture": Pilotis, Roof Garden, Free Plan, Horizontal
Windows, Free Facade.
Key Projects: Villa La Roche-Jeanneret (1923-1925), Villa Savoye (1928-1931)

• Urban Planning and Social Housing (1928-1939):

Focus on large-scale urban projects: Cité de Refuge (1929-1933), Immeuble Clarté (1930-1932)

Exploration of high-density housing: Ville Contemporaine, Plan Voisin (urban planning

proposals)

• Post-War Period (1945-1965):

Unité d'Habitation: Development of the iconic "Unité d'Habitation" concept, exemplified by
the Marseille Unité (1947-1952).
Religious Architecture: Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp (1950-1955)
International Projects: Chandigarh, India (1950-1965)
philoshophy:

FIVE POINTS OF ARCHITECTURE

1. Pilotis – Replacement of supporting walls by a grid of reinforced concrete columns
that bears the structural load is the basis of the new aesthetic

2. The free designing of the ground plan—the absence of supporting walls—means the
house is unrestrained in its internal use

3. The free design of the façade—separating the exterior of the building from its
structural function—sets the façade free from structural constraints.

4. The horizontal window, which cuts the façade along its entire length, lights rooms
equally.

5. Roof gardens on a flat roof can serve a domestic purpose while providing essential
protection to the concrete roof.

• Most succinctly summed up the five points of architecture – VILLA SAVOYE

 philoshophy:

• The graphic representation of the Modulor, a stylised human

figure with one arm raised, stands next to two vertical
measurements

• Attempts to discover mathematical proportions in the human body

and then to use that knowledge to improve both the appearance and
function of architecture

• The system is based on human measurements, the double unit, the

Fibonacci numbers, and the golden ratio

• Le Corbusier described it as a “range of harmonious measurements

to suit the human scale, universally applicable to architecture and
to mechanical things”

• Intrigued by ancient civilisations who used measuring systems

linked to the human body: elbow (cubit), finger (digit), thumb
(inch) etc.

• A red series based on the figure's navel height (1.08 m in the

original version, 1.13 m in the revised version) then segmented
according to Phi

• A blue series based on the figure's entire height, double the

navel height (2.16 m in the original version, 2.26 m in the
revised), segmented similarly

• A spiral, graphically developed between the red and blue segments,

seems to mimic the volume of the human figure
 philoshophy:

The Open Hand

• The Open Hand (La Main Ouverte) is a recurring motif in Le
Corbusier's architecture - a sign for him of "peace and
reconciliation. It is open to give and open to receive”

• The largest of the many Open Hand sculptures that Le Corbusier

created is a 26 meter high version in Chandigarh, India – known
as OPEN HAND MONUMENT

FURNITURE
• “Chairs are architecture, sofas are bourgeois”

• Le Corbusier and Perriand began to put the expectations for

furniture Le Corbusier outlined in his 1925 book L'Art
Décoratif d'aujourd'hui into practice

• three different furniture types: type-needs, type- furniture,

and human-limb objects

• le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture design in 1928

after inviting the architect, Charlotte Perriand
 philoshophy:

DOM-INO
• A prototype as the physical
platform for the mass
production of housing

• Design idea to manufacture in

series, that combines the order
he discovered in classical
architecture

• The units could be aligned in

a series like dominoes, to make
row house of different patterns

• This design became the

foundation for most of his
architecture for the next ten
years Concrete slabs Stairway
providing access to each level
on one side of the floor plan
Giving freedom to design the
interior configuration 1914
Thin, reinforced concrete
columns - Pilotis Free facade
Example:

The Palace of Assembly

• The Palace of Assembly is one of Le Corbusier’s most iconic architectural works and a
key component of his design for the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, India. Designed
between 1951 and 1956, it serves as the legislative building for the state of Punjab
and remains a powerful symbol of modernist architecture. Le Corbusier’s vision for
the Capitol Complex was to create a series of monumental structures that would embody
the modern, progressive spirit of India. The Palace of Assembly is designed to be a
bold expression of democratic power and civic function, reflecting both the political
and cultural aspirations of the newly independent nation

• Inside, the Palace of Assembly is centered around the main legislative chamber, which
is a large, open, and flexible space designed for debate and decision-making. The
chamber’s vaulted concrete ceiling is a signature feature, allowing light to filter
through and create a dramatic, yet welcoming atmosphere
detail drawing:
detail drawing:
Philosophy:

Democracy and Equality: The most prominent philosophical underpinning is the embodiment
of democratic ideals. The circular assembly chamber, a departure from traditional
rectangular legislative halls, symbolizes equality and the open exchange of ideas among
lawmakers. This circular form encourages a sense of inclusivity and discourages
hierarchies within the legislative process.

Humanism: Le Corbusier prioritized the human experience within the building. The
emphasis on circulation, with ramps replacing traditional staircases, ensures easy and
accessible movement for all. This focus on human comfort and accessibility reflects a
humanist approach to architecture.

Modernism and Progress: The Palace of Assembly is a testament to Le Corbusier's

modernist principles. The use of reinforced concrete, the clean lines, and the emphasis
on functionality exemplify the modernist approach to architecture. The building
represents a departure from traditional architectural styles and embodies the spirit of
progress and innovation.

Integration with the Landscape: Le Corbusier believed in creating architecture that

harmonizes with its natural surroundings. The Palace of Assembly is designed to
interact with the landscape, with open spaces and gardens surrounding the building.
This integration with nature reflects a respect for the environment and a desire to
create a building that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing within its
context.