LC Architectural Philosophy
- Five Points of Architecture
LC Furniture Design
- LC1, LC3, LC4
LC Architectural Philosophy:
Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, who later became known as “Le Corbusier” was a Swiss-French architect, who dabbled in a number of artistic pursuits throughout his life; including design, painting, urban planning, and writing. His most prestigious work led him to being coined one of the great pioneers of modern architecture.
Le Corbusier started his career at the age of 13, when he attended Arts Décoratifs in his hometown of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Here, he followed in his father’s footsteps, learning the art of enameling and engraving watch faces. During his studies he became engrossed with art and art history, quickly deciding to abandon watchmaking to become a painter. Taking the wise advice of his school teacher, L’Eplattenier, he also studied architecture. In 1907, Le Corbusier designed his first house. He was 20 at the time, and this was merely the beginning of his career. He would go on to travel far and wide, working as an apprentice for many different architects in a number of regions. Some of the most notable include Italy, Budapest, Vienna, Munich and Paris.
Le Corbusier is widely recognized as a pioneer in open concept living. The spacious and connected home environments we are so accustomed to today, are actually an extension of Le Corbusier’s architectural genius. He focused closely on efficiency and structure, with a strong belief that the home should be open and lit; both founding pillars of open concept living. To say Le Corbusier was ahead of the curve is an understatement!
Le Corbusier’s architectural vision is best summarized through his Five Points of Architecture:
- Buildings should be raised on “Pilotis.” These long support beams freed the walls within the home of structural function.
- The elimination of structural walls, allowing for open concept design.
- Horizontal windows, effectively allowing for even lighting throughout the interior.
- Flat roofs for gardens – replacing the ground that the home sits upon.
- Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France, 1954
LC Furniture Design:
Le Corbusier’s obsession with efficiency didn’t stop there. In 1928, Le Corbusier partnered with Pierre Jeanneret (his cousin) and fellow architect Charlotte Perriand to design furniture. His designs quickly garnered a reputation for being clean and sleek, effectively using the golden ratio and other mathematical sequences to perfect aesthetic and structure. The trio favored fine leathers and exotic cow hides with tube steel chrome finishing’s. Le Corbusier referred to sofas as “bourgeois,” and preferred to design chairs instead. Furniture was simply “equipment for the home” for the famed designer.
In 1925 he wrote a book on his concept for furniture design called L’Art Décoratif d’aujourd’hui, or The Decorative Art Today. The text offered a unique look into Le Corbusier’s creative process. In the book, he wrote about three different types of furniture in which he would go on to design, type-needs, type-furniture, and human-limb objects. His work was made to sculpt and act as an extension of the human body.
Whether you are a fan of Le Corbusier’s design style or not, you can not deny the sleek elegance his chairs provide. They were designed with simple curves and lines that create an ornate look all on their own, complimented by the fine material used to craft his designs.
- Le Corbusier ‘LC4’ Chaise Lounge Chair
The Le Corbusier ‘LC4’ Chaise lounge chair was one of his most successful furniture designs.
Designed in 1928, it uses exposed structural elements with leather padding and headrest, and can be repositioned for a multitude of seating positions. This chair is perfect for laying back, relaxing, and reading a good book. This style is widely regarded as iconic.
- Le Corbusier ‘LC1’
The ‘LC1’ chair was also designed in 1928. This Basculant Sling Chair was designed to be a reinterpretation of the British “officers chair”. He uses exposed structural elements and hide leather for the seating, backing and armrests. This chair has become wildly popular throughout the years with many designers putting their own spin on it!
- Le Corbusier ‘LC3’ Armchair
Grand Confort Lounge Chair ‘LC3’ was first put into production in 1959. Specifically designed for women, who tend to sit with their legs crossed. It has a wide and thick medium density foam seat, sitting low to the ground. Upholstered in fine genuine leather with his signature chrome frame.
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