Le Corbusier is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most influential architects of the 20th century. As one of the fathers of modernism his theoretical and build works have provoked debate, and provided inspiration for several generations of architects.
Forty-five years after his death, Le Corbusier remains one of the cornerstones of architectural teaching. A comprehension of his ideas and buildings is key to understanding the style that dominated the second half of the 20th century – modern architecture.
Le Corbusier’s life and career is well documented and there is a wealth of information available, to those wanting to learn about the architect. Here are a selection of books that will provide a good basis for understanding, his ideals and those of the purist agenda he pursued.
Vers une architecture (1923) Towards a New Architecture – Le Corbusier
Throughout Le Corbusier’s life he produced a great deal of literature to support his ideas and promote modernist discourse. Written early in his career, Towards a New Architecture sets out his agenda and possibly the most important book on the theory of modernist architecture
The book is a compilation of a collection of essays published in the journal L'Esprit Nouveau that combine to lay out Le Corbusier’s modernist manifesto. Using examples of new technologies, unburdened by historical precedent, he advocates a fundamental change in architectural approach and aesthetic to embrace the modern age. With images of automobiles, ocean liners and grain silos he suggests that the form a building takes should follow the function it is meant to perform and that this will provide an aesthetic.
The book also sets out the foundations of his Five Points Towards a New Architecture, which would become one of the most instrumental doctrines for the modernist movement.
Le Corbusier's Formative Years : Charles-Edouard Jeanneret at La Chaux-De-Fonds – H. Allen Brooks
This book provides a thorough investigation of the early years of Charles-Edouard Jeanneret’s life in his hometown, La Chaux-de-Fonds, before he adopted his pseudonym, Le Corbusier. Though the use of extensive research this book provides a comprehensive examination of a less publicized chapter in this great architects life.
By looking in detail at his education and experience working with Auguste Perret and Peter Behrens, as well as his earliest professional projects the Villa Jeanneret-Perret and Schwob and theoretical works such as the Dom-ino, this book aims to explain how Le Corbusier became one of the most infuencial exponents of modernism.
Le Corbusier (World of Art) – Kenneth Frampton
Kenneth Frampton’s book provides an overview to the highlights of his distinguished career, covering all his major built projects, and theoretical projects. The book provides an informative and insightful look into the career of the father of modernism and is a great introduction to his work.
Either by examining his own literature, early years or an overview of his career, these three books are each a sensible place to start gaining an understanding of Le Corbusier and his architecture that influenced a generation.
Tom Ravenscroft - Tom Ravenscroft is a freelance journalist and academic who currently resides in the UK. Though he feels particularly educated in ...
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