Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris
- Born:
- October 6, 1887, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
- Died:
- August 27, 1965, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
- Nationality:
- Swiss-French
- Profession(s):
- Architect, Designer, Painter, Urban Planner, Writer
Early Life and Education
- Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a center of watchmaking.
- Began training as an engraver and enameller at the École d'Art.
- Studied art history and design with Charles L'Eplattenier.
- Traveled extensively in Europe, including to Italy, Vienna, and Paris, gaining exposure to diverse architectural styles.
Career and Major Achievements
- Adopted the pseudonym Le Corbusier in 1920.
- Pioneered modern architecture and urban planning.
- Developed the "Five Points of Architecture": pilotis, free plan, free facade, ribbon window, and roof garden.
- Advocated for high-density vertical housing as a solution to urban problems.
- His urban planning ideas, sometimes described as a "ciudad utopia de le corbusier biography" highlight, aimed to create functional and efficient living environments.
- Served as a key figure in the Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM).
Notable Works
- Villa Savoye (Poissy, France, 1929-1931)
- Unité d'Habitation (Marseille, France, 1947-1952)
- Notre Dame du Haut (Ronchamp, France, 1950-1955)
- Palace of Assembly (Chandigarh, India, 1955)
- Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 1963)
Publications
- Vers une architecture (Towards a New Architecture, 1923)
- Urbanisme (The City of Tomorrow and Its Planning, 1925)
- Quand les cathédrales étaient blanches (When the Cathedrals Were White, 1937)
Legacy and Impact
Le Corbusier's impact on modern architecture and urban planning is undeniable. His designs and theories profoundly influenced the development of cities and buildings throughout the 20th century and continue to be studied and debated. He is considered one of the most important architects of the modern era.