To what extent have Le Corbusier’s 5 points of architecture contributed to architecture?
These studies are based on unchanged and deep thoughts of an age of modification, improvement, argues on clashing philosophies often monopolize discussions. The struggle of LE CORBUSIER to adapt often results in shaping social, political, economic, and cultural paradigms. In architectural context and urban structures, greatly has been argued on the doctrine of modernism and traditionalism. When we want to characterize something as sustainable, it is important to have in mind that these aspects should not be separated because neglecting either of them will lead to the emergence of an unsustainable system. One understands that architecture is not only a scene that is understood and appreciated by Western cultures but it is also fast becoming fixed in other regions of the world. Architecture has a great impact over almost all aspects of public and personal life. Consequently, it is not surprising that it has also multiplied to architectural practices as well. Le Corbusier is considered as the most important architect of the modern age. He shaped the perceptions of modern architecture and of modernity itself. To effectively argue for a doctrine such as architectural changes by LE CORBUSIER, one needs to take into thinking the consequences and impacts, because we must look for positive outcomes in all quotations based on prevailing evidence. In the following discussion, the researcher shall discuss le Corbusier’s 5 architectural points and its impact on architecture with reference to various architectural styles and how it critique positive impact on architectural design.
HISTORY BEHIND FIVE POINTS:
The declaration OF Five Points OF LE CORBUSIER towards a New Architecture first applied on the designs for Corbusier’s houses in the (Weissenhof settlement, Stuttgart, 1927). In 1925, Mies van der Rohe organizes the exhibition “Die Wohnung” (the flat). The show, opened in 1927, in which the Weissenhof Estate being the most significant field of experimentation for new materials and construction methods. In this prototype housing estate, 17 European architects, among them Le Corbusier built 21 buildings with a total of 60 flats. In the 12 rental units, which Mies had arranged and furnished where he realized the concept of a flexible floor plan for the first time which is le Corbusier’s design philosophy, facilitated by the use of moveable dividing walls in a skeleton construction. Than Mies van der Rohe gave each architect the greatest possible freedom to carry out his ideas, the exhibition became one of the most important events in domestic architecture
Le Corbusier examined questions of collective living as early as (1935), his book La Ville radieuse, In which he presented his theories on town planning. He initiated the study of modern high design and he was a big proponent of modern urban living.
During the 1930s, Le Corbusier altered his theories on urbanism and it was published in La Ville radieuse (The Radiant City) in 1935 (“Le Corbusier: Biography,” 2013).
In 1920, Corbusier started to develop the type apartment which became very influential in 20th century modernism and contemporary residential design in Europe and The Unité habitation is modernist residential housing design principles developed by Le Corbusier become the first significant post-war structure designed to tackle the many severe post-war housing shortage. The complex was designed to satisfy the needs of inhabitants in a single building and contained a unique infrastructure of services for its inhabitants. “Cast in baton brut the design the contingency for materials during the post-war led him to use rough-cast concrete, a cheaper alternative which inspired the architectural style popularized as Brutalism”(Behrens, 2005) engages the le Corbusier’s five points of architecture. “The Radiant City was embedded into a controversy, similar with the other projects of Le Corbusier. At the close of the 1930s and through the end of the Second World War, he kept busy with creating such visible projects as the proposed master plans for the Algiers and Buenos Aires cities. Le Corbusier also applied his political connections to build egalitarian designs but he failed”(Sharp, 2002).
FIVE POINTS OR FIVE GUIDLINES?
- PILOTIS
- THE FREE GROUND PLAN
- FENETRE EN LONGEUR
- THE FREE PLAN
- THE ROOF TERRACE.
The “Five Points of Modern Architecture” by Le Corbusier are a collection of fundamental ideas that, in his opinion, need to direct modern architectural design. These ideas, which were developed in the 1920s, had a significant impact on modern architecture. Each point is briefly explained below:
Pilotis: These are the thin, reinforced concrete pylons or columns that sustain the weight of the structure. Pilotis provide for free circulation below the building, preventing problems like surface wetness, by raising the structure off the ground. They also produce an atmosphere of openness and artistic lightness. They also make it possible for green spaces or gardens to extend below the structure.
Free Ground Plan Design: This element highlights the adaptability of the interior spaces. Load-bearing walls are used in conventional architecture.
Free Design of the Façade: Le Corbusier promoted a liberated exterior, in contrast to traditional architecture, where the façade is frequently bound by structural constraints. This implies that the façade could be created separately from the structural components, resulting in a lighter, more open, and aesthetically unique exterior.
Horizontal Window: Ribbon-shaped windows line the length of the façade, illuminating the interior areas evenly. In addition to enhancing the room’s impression of space, this design feature provides views of the surroundings. It helps the interior and exterior to interact in a more transparent and seamless way.
Roof Garden: Le Corbusier thought that roofs should not only be used as structural elements, but also as functional places. He argued in favor of flat roofs that could
These five points collectively represent a departure from traditional architectural norms, emphasizing functionality, adaptability, and a connection to nature. They have had a lasting impact on modern architecture, influencing countless architects and designers around the world.
WHY HIS POINTS ARE FAMOUS?
Le Corbusier is best known for his urban planning innovations and his proposal to solve the slums and urban housing problems during his time. Because After the completion of the construction, the very functioning of the building leaves a long-term effect on the ecosystem. Energy and water consumed by the residents of the building are converted into harmful gases and wastewater after use. When a facility loses its function, it does not lose its influence on the environment. If we do not recycle that facility, either in terms of object conversion or literal demolition in order to use the materials for something else, all energy spent on exploitation, processing, production, transport, construction, and maintenance can be considered as a loss .He believed that the plain, minimalist buildings he designed would help clean up and enlighten the cities as well as make it healthier (Jeremiah, 2000). His urban ideals were realized in the Unité d’Habitation or the “Radiant City” in Marseilles, France as was initially mentioned.
Architecture impact on the society more positively and with some against opinions also and architecture like him really does, they all have solutions. Making world beautiful according to man need is also compulsory. We just have to follow and take care of something. Like The use of renewable materials, as much as possible, greatly reduces the need for non-renewable materials. The use of flora and fauna at the construction site become the part of the project in greater percentage so as to maintain the local ecosystem. Modern architecture is engaging with a variety of innovative concepts such as using external wall and roofs to create green spaces, as I already mentioned in the la Corbusier policies and points, which maintain the household and nature equally. It maintains the beauty and environment side by side. His particularly popular idea as it combines pleasing aesthetics with functional ecological and agricultural benefits. Protecting homes by covering them with earth so they’re protected from the elements not only preserves the buildings but provides highly effective insulation that reduces or even removes the need for energy-consuming central heating. The contribution made by the Architectural Work of Le Corbusier is not merely the result of an exemplary achievement at a given moment, but the outstanding sum of built and written proposals steadfastly disseminated worldwide through half a century.
