Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier (1887-1965)

1887: Le Corbusier was born on October 6th, 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) - full name Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris.

In 1900 he trained as a painter, goldsmith and engraver in his birthplace at the École d`Art.

In 1904, Le Corbusier also began to study architecture. In large European architectural offices, he gathered the basics that would later make him one of the leading and most important architects. He was particularly fond of modern iron and reinforced concrete construction.

In 1914 Le Corbusier developed a skeleton system called "Domino" made of reinforced concrete. This construction was designed for multi-story buildings.

In 1917 Le Corbusier moved to Paris. Here he created his first oil paintings showing predominantly structured still life.

In 1919 he published his avant-garde architectural concepts in the magazine "L`Esprit Nouveau" which he edited himself.

In 1927 the architect Le Corbusier realizes individual buildings in the Stuttgart "Weißenhofsiedlung".

In 1928, in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand, he designs the legendary couch made of tubular steel frame (adjustable) and leather upholstery, the chaise longue LC4 and the cubist and probably most famous armchair with leather cushion LC2.

1929 - 1931 he builds the Villa Savoye in Poissy. Always maintaining his main focus on pioneering concepts that also find wide circulation in many magazines.

1965 (August 27) dies Le Corbusier, one of the most famous and important architects of the 20th century.

Le Corbusier is considered one of the most important architects, painters, sculptors and furniture designers.

Looking back at his life, one can only marvel at the abundance of his works. 

He was incredibly productive in all directions. As an architect, Le Corbusier built many groundbreaking buildings around the world, over 40 in all. Seventeen of his architectural
achievements alone have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. He was thus one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His most famous buildings were the Weissenhof Estate, Chapelle Notre-Dame-Du-Hautin Ronchamp and 15 other buildings. Among other things, Le Corbusier created his own color theory for his architecture (more information).

As an artist he created more than 400 paintings, 44 sculptures, 27 tapestry designs and further several lithographs and drawings.

In furniture design Le Corbusier created a combination of cool elegance, clear forms and noble materials. In collaboration with his cousin and fellow designer Pierre Jeanneret and the designer Charlotte Perriand, he designed the famous series LC. Le Corbusier belongs to the avant-garde furniture designers of the modern era.

He shaped our current ideas of a modern design.