Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Date: 1961-1964
Building type: University Art Centre
The Carpenter Centre was built late in Le Corbusier's career, and definitely represents his views on architecture at this stage of his life. The design is distinctly Modernist, with the shell of the structure consisting of angular reinforced cast-in-place concrete masonry with a smooth finish. Tall, slender columns break up the interior spaces, and a large curvilinear ramp divides the structure in two while connecting with the main stairway and an exhibition area.
Building two: Unite d'Habitation
Location: Marseilles, France
Date: 1946-1952
Building type: Multi-family housing
The Unite d'Habitation was Le Corbusier's most significant late work. Again, massive amounts of concrete were used, this time to construct a relatively simple rectilinear grid, into which precast individual apartments were slotted like "bottles into a wine rack", as Le Corbusier put it. The ingenuity of the scheme was in the way 23 unique apartment configurations were fit into the structure. Aside from its Modernist style and angular structure, the Unite d'Habitation displays another typical Le Corbusier trademark - the entire building is raised off the ground on sculpted legs.
References:
- Architecture Week, "Great Buildings Collection", 1997-2010, http://www.greatbuildings.com/ (accessed 18/8/10).
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