Le Corbusier Is all Around: The Genius’s Heritage Today

Le Corbusier is considered one of the most influential creators of the twentieth century. His outstanding work in architecture, art, design and philosophy offers an infinite source of inspiration and knowledge. Even beyond style, his ideology has trespassed generations of designers and architects making him immortal. Let’s take a brief journey throughout his uniquely valuable heritage.

His was the first truly modern architectural style in history. Thanks to the different projects he was commissioned with after WWII, he developed a really consistent idea of urbanism that is still present and strong in urban areas these days. His perspective united architecture and design as weapons to transform society. Through the simplicity in basic geometric shapes such as cubes, cones, pyramids and spheres, along with natural elements, light and order, Le Corbusier managed to develop projects with unique beauty that somehow responded to his own idealism before the world’s situation. All of these elements revolved around a true search for human happiness and harmony.

In L’Esprit Nouveau, Le Corbusier settled some sort of architectural manifesto based on five points. These points, enlisted here, have turned into foundational stones for urban development in cities all over the world.

Pilotis: A building should be entirely supported by columns on the outer edge of the structure.

Open Floor Plans: Thanks to the previous point, the interior floor plan can be completely open.

The Open Facade: The exterior can adopt a simple, utilitarian look.

Horizontal Windows: Since the walls do not carry weight, the entire length of a building can be made of glass. This allows light to come in, thus blending the interior and exterior spaces.

The Garden Roof: Every building can contain a nature space on its roof.

All these conditions are oriented towards a maximum use of the limited space that cities force upon the population, as well as a search for practicality and dignity for all inhabitants. There are many opposers to Le Corbusier’s ideas, however, these ideas have proven to offer a series of conditions for the population in big cities that would be completely out of reach otherwise. This is only natural since Modernism is a result of the end of World War II and the search for social reform through different paths, including architecture and design. These ideas were mainly based on the prevalence of function before form.

Le Corbusier’s rejection towards excess, ornaments and unnecessary assets remains impressively current. In a hyper saturated, hyper informed and hyperactive world, these ideas have found ways to survive and even become stronger with passing time. Nowadays, due to the sanitary crisis we’re suffering, along with the climate and environmental crisis, this standardization and practicality have proven to be a sustainable and viable solution for urban development, as well as a soothing alternative before the noise, pollution and urban chaos.

No architect would dare to deny the impact of Le Corbusier’s ideas. Neither could any person living in urban areas. It’s unquestionable: his heritage has been foundational for the cities as we know them today. Whether we agree with his ideas or not, it’s truly valuable to reflect on their origins and development in order to imagine solutions for the current global crisis we’re suffering. There’s a lot to learn from our architectural history, let’s never neglect it. 

• Le Corbusier, Towards a New Architecture, Architectural Press, London, 1927
• Zohra Kahn, “Le Corbusier and a Legacy that Goes Beyond Championing Modern Architecture”, https://www.stirworld.com/inspire-people-le-corbusier-and-a-legacy-that-goes-beyond-championing-modern-architecture

• “Le Corbusier – Between Architecture and Fine Art”, Ideelart, https://www.ideelart.com/magazine/le-corbusier-art