Le Corbusier 1887 – 1965

Architect and artist, born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. He left school at age 13
to learn the trade of engraving watch faces. Encouraged by a local art teacher he taught
himself architecture, travelling throughout Europe to observe architectural styles.
Settling in Paris in 1917, he met Ozenfant, who introduced him to Purism, and with
whom he collaborated in writing several articles under his pseudonym (the name of a
relative on his father's side). He developed a theory of the interrelation between modern
machine forms and architectural techniques, and his first building, based on the
technique of the Modulor (a system using units whose proportions were those of the
human figure), was the Unité d'habitation (xliving unitx), Marseille (1945-50). Some of
his buildings are raised on stilts or piloti, an innovation he first used in the Swiss
Pavilion at the Cité Universitaire at Paris. His main interest was large urban projects
and city-planning, and although many of his designs were rejected, they influenced
other architects throughout the world. Other examples of his work are Chandigarh, the
new capital of the Punjab; the Swiss Dormitory in the Cité Universitaire in Paris; and
the Exposition Pavilion in Zürich.