Le Corbusier, born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, was a revolutionary figure in architecture whose innovative designs and urban planning concepts fundamentally transformed modern architecture. His prolific career spanned various disciplines, including design, painting, and writing. He was the visionary behind the influential avant-garde magazine *L’Esprit Nouveau*, through which he articulated his groundbreaking ideas. Among his most significant legacies are iconic buildings and masterful urban plans like the dynamic layout of Chandigarh, India, and the ambitious yet never-completed Radiant City, which continues to inspire architects and city planners today.
Here is a list of ten must-visit projects showcasing Le Corbusier’s extraordinary architectural contributions worldwide.
1. Notre-Dame du Haut, France
Perched atop a hill in Ronchamp, the Notre-Dame du Haut is an architectural marvel that redefined the experience of sacred spaces. Commissioned in 1950 to replace a stone church lost to World War II destruction, this church features sinuous, sculptural concrete forms that evoke a sense of spiritual transcendence. The exterior is characterized by its gently undulating walls and a sweeping, asymmetrical roof that seems to float above the structure. Inside, the interplay of light and shadow creates a meditative atmosphere, accentuated by a series of small chapels and the main altar seamlessly integrated into the space. A magnificent south wall, adorned with an abstract tapestry of colored glass windows—clear, red, green, and yellow—filters radiant light into the interior, using remnants from the old church to create a sense of continuity and memory in a place of worship.
2. Villa Savoye, France
Located just outside Paris, Villa Savoye is a quintessential symbol of modern architecture, completed in 1931. Designed by Le Corbusier in collaboration with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, the villa exemplifies the application of the architect’s five points of architecture: free façade design, open floor plans, pilotis (reinforced concrete pillars), horizontal windows, and roof gardens. The pristine white façade and clear geometric lines give the impression that the house floats above the surrounding landscape, thanks to the elevated ground-floor structure. The villa is intended to be experienced as an architectural promenade, encouraging movement through its fluid, interconnected spaces that dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
3. Villa Fallet, Switzerland
Villa Fallet marks Le Corbusier’s first completed architectural project, showcasing his early talent and vision. Constructed between 1905 and 1906 in the picturesque town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the house is an excellent example of the traditional Alpine style, harmonizing with its mountainous surroundings. The design reflects an intricate understanding of form and proportion, featuring decorative elements that draw inspiration from nature. Built alongside fellow students under the guidance of their teacher, this charming residence encapsulates the budding creativity of the young architect. It serves as a precursor to his later groundbreaking works.
4. Église Saint-Pierre, France
Among the many significant structures Le Corbusier designed in Firminy, Église Saint-Pierre stands as a testament to his architectural genius, completed in 2006—41 years after the architect’s passing. This parish church represents the pinnacle of his later career, marrying monumental ambition with spiritual contemplation. The conical concrete structure, marked by its bold geometric shapes, invites visitors into a spacious interior bathed in soft, diffused light, creating an atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection. Le Corbusier envisioned the church as a vast space that encourages a sense of upliftment, drawing from his earlier unrealized designs and the Palace of the Assembly in Chandigarh to manifest simplicity and grandeur in perfect harmony.
5. Pavillon Le Corbusier, Switzerland
The Pavillon Le Corbusier represents the architect’s last significant project, commissioned by art collector Heidi Weber. Completed in 1965, this unique structure serves as a gallery and an artwork, where every element reflects Le Corbusier’s artistic vision. Nestled in a scenic location, the pavilion showcases a curated collection of the architect’s drawings, paintings, and sculptures, allowing visitors to engage with his multifaceted contributions to the arts. Following its acquisition by the City of Zürich in 2014, the building was reborn as the Pavillon Le Corbusier, inviting the public to explore the interplay of architecture and art within its vibrantly colored spaces.
6. National Museum of Western Art, Japan
Le Corbusier triumphantly completed the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo in March 1959, marking a notable achievement in modern architecture. This remarkable structure was commissioned to elegantly showcase the extensive art collection of Kojiro Matsukata, which had been returned to Japan by the French government in the wake of World War II. Under the stipulation that a French architect lead the design, Le Corbusier embraced the opportunity, collaborating with three of his former Japanese apprentices to blend Eastern and Western influences.
The museum features a magnificent central hall characterized by its spacious and airy open floor plan, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the art. A gracefully designed ramp winds its way through the museum, guiding patrons through curated exhibitions while encouraging exploration and discovery. On the second floor, an exhibition room offers a stunning vantage point overlooking the grand Nineteenth Century Hall, enhancing the experience of art in this thoughtfully crafted setting.
7. Unité d’Habitation, Germany
Completed for the International Residential Housing Exhibition in Berlin in 1957, Unité d’Habitation exemplifies Le Corbusier’s vision of communal living and functional design. This bold concrete structure presents an innovative model for urban residential buildings, emphasizing modular housing that fosters community interaction. The dynamic façade, with its striking pattern of balconies and windows, was initially intended to embody a harmonious residential environment. Though the design underwent modifications during construction and restoration, it remains a pertinent example of Le Corbusier’s progressive ideas about social living and architectural form.
8. Villa Schwob, Switzerland
Villa Schwob is one of Le Corbusier’s defining projects in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This exquisite flat-roofed residence, often called “the Turkish villa” due to its Ottoman architectural influences, showcases a unique geometric design highlighted by ochre brickwork. The villa’s distinctive profile challenges traditional Swiss architectural norms and reflects Le Corbusier’s keen inclination towards modern aesthetics. In his later works, incorporating functional spaces within a cohesive geometric framework exemplifies the architect’s transition towards a more modernist approach.
9. Villa La Roche, France
Villa La Roche was designed between 1923 and 1925 for the Swiss banker and art collector. It’s in Paris and home to a museum and Fondation Le Corbusier. The museum is an exciting place to see his architecture and furniture. It also houses an extensive collection of Le Corbusier’s plans and drawings.
10. Palace of the Assembly, India
Part of Le Corbusier’s Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh, India, the Palace of Assembly combines elements of Purism and Brutalism, punctuated by touches of vibrant color. The exterior is defined by a curved roof canopy supported by reinforced concrete columns, while other façades are lined with a brise soleil to provide shade and frame the views. The interior features an open floor plan, with offices and other private spaces outside the center area. Le Corbusier designed a boldly colorful enameled door for the Palace of the Assembly, which is opened for ceremonial occasions.
These remarkable structures stand as architectural milestones and embody Le Corbusier’s revolutionary vision, his relentless pursuit of modernity, and his enduring impact on the design world. Each project invites exploration and admiration, revealing the rich narrative woven through his life and work.