Swiss-French writer, painter and mostly self-taught architect Le Corbusier was one of the pioneers of what is now called Modern architecture or the International style. He is best known for his architectural projects and theoretical thought.
(Liukkonen, P. 2008. Creative Commons Nimeä-Epäkaupallinen-Ei muutettuja teoksia 1.0 Suomi.)
Believing that architecture is a combination of simple forms and utilitarian needs he created "a machine for living in".
(MATTHEW, K. 1994. GREAT BUILDINGS COLLECTION. Artifice, Inc.)
Figure 1: Le Corbusier
(JSVisuals. 2010. Mtanga. JSVisuals.)
Figure 1: Le Corbusier
(JSVisuals. 2010. Mtanga. JSVisuals.)
In one of his books Le Corbusier wrote "Working by calculation, engineers employ geometrical forms, satisfying our eyes by their geometry and our understanding by their mathematics; their work is on the direct line of good art."
(LE CORBUSIER, 1946:8)
In the following essay I will discuss Le Corbusier’s five principles and how they are applied to the Villa Savoye, how these reflect cubism and how space time relationships, three dimensional qualities and circulation is influenced and incorporated into the Villa Savoye.
FIVE PRINCIPLES OF LE CORBESIER:
Figure 2: The Villa Savoye façade showing pilotis (WASSMANN, C. 2009. Anarchitecture. Creative Commons Attributue.)
Figure 2: The Villa Savoye façade showing pilotis (WASSMANN, C. 2009. Anarchitecture. Creative Commons Attributue.)
The volume of the structure is supported by pilotis. This lifts it off the earth and frees up the stretch of lawn below. This allowed for access of motor vehicles, which were parked below the house making the ground floor merely an elaborate garage and servants’ quarters. The curvature of the trajectory is reinforced by the crescent arrangement of the glass wall which forms the entrance. This dramatizes the entrance.
Figure 3: Roof Garden (House Design Idea. 2010. House Design Idea.)
Figure 3: Roof Garden (House Design