14 Le Corbusier The Cloister La Tourette

Summary

The Monastery of La Tourette, designed by Le Corbusier between 1953 and 1960, embodies the architect's vision of modernist architecture applied to religious life. Situated on an erratic hillside, the monastery is marked by its bold use of concrete, strict geometric forms, and integration with the surrounding landscape. Despite facing crises like the student revolt and the modernizing Catholic Church, the building remains a testament to spiritual and architectural harmony. With minimalistic designs focused on individual contemplation, La Tourette merges the sacred with the modern, revealing architecture as a form of religion in itself.

Takeaways

• 😀 Le Corbusier designed the Monastery of La Tourette for the Dominican Order between 1953 and 1960, during a period of religious resurgence in post-WWII France.
• 😀 The monastery was intended to house 80 students for seven years of prayer and study, but the project faced significant challenges, including the May 1968 student revolts.
• 😀 Despite these crises, the monastery was saved by a small group of friars who believed in its architectural and spiritual significance, eventually being repurposed as a conference center.
• 😀 Corbusier, at the age of 66, was at the height of his career when designing the monastery, having already created iconic works like the Villa Savoye and the city of Chandigarh.
• 😀 The monastery's location on a sloping hill required innovative design solutions, and Corbusier chose to integrate the building into the landscape, using a 'forest of pillars' to support the structure.
• 😀 The building's design emphasizes functionalism, minimalism, and the use of concrete, which was unconventional for religious buildings but became a signature material for Corbusier.
• 😀 Corbusier's cells for the friars were minimalist and standardized, featuring ideal proportions based on the golden section, creating a harmonious space for contemplation.
• 😀 The monastery's church is radically different from traditional churches, featuring raw concrete walls and slits to let in natural light, symbolizing the passage of time.
• 😀 Geometry plays a central role in the design, with Corbusier using geometric shapes like cubes, pyramids, and parallelepipeds to create a sense of balance and harmony.
• 😀 Despite not believing in God, Corbusier viewed architecture as a form of religious expression, and the monastery embodies his belief that architecture can reveal divine creation through human design.

Q & A

What was the purpose behind building the Monastery of La Tourette?

The monastery was built for the Dominican Order as a monastic school and retreat center, designed to accommodate 80 students for seven years of prayer and study, following the end of World War II when there was an upsurge in religious vocations in France.

Why did the Dominican Order initially consider selling the monastery?

By 1970, only one student remained at the monastery, and it faced a significant decline in occupancy. The Dominican Order was considering selling the property, but a group of 20 friars resisted, believing the architecture embodied their spiritual quest.

What was Le Corbusier's approach to the site's location?

Le Corbusier decided to build the monastery at the top of a slope, rather than raising the building from the ground. This choice was influenced by his desire to blend the structure with the horizon and to counteract the irregularities of the terrain using stilts.

How did Le Corbusier utilize concrete in the design of the monastery?

Le Corbusier favored concrete for its affordability and versatility. The monastery is built using concrete, a material he believed was ideal for modern architecture. The structure features concrete stilts, walls, and a dramatic façade, with some areas designed to appear almost monolithic.

What is the significance of the proportions used in the monastery's design?

Le Corbusier applied his ideal architectural proportions, based on the golden section and the human figure, known as 'La Modular.' This system was intended to ensure a harmonious balance between the dimensions of the building and the human body.

What role does light play in the architecture of La Tourette?

Light plays a crucial role in Le Corbusier's design, particularly in the church. The church's concrete walls are illuminated through vertical and horizontal slits that let in sunlight at different times of the day. The building's relationship with light creates an emotional and spiritual experience for those inside.

What is the concept behind the 'sugar lumps' in the monastery?

The 'sugar lumps' are blocks that protrude from both the interior and exterior walls of the building. These blocks serve as visible parts of the load-bearing structure, supporting the beams and stilts, while also contributing to the building's unique aesthetic.

How does the monastery address the relationship between nature and human creation?

Le Corbusier designed the monastery to emphasize the connection between the natural world and human creativity. The building incorporates expansive glass windows to frame views of the landscape, while the geometric forms within the courtyard represent the richness of human design, reflecting nature's beauty in a controlled, designed space.

Why did Le Corbusier choose to create separate spaces for the church and the monastery?

Le Corbusier designed the church as a distinct and separate space from the main monastery, emphasizing its unique function. The church is deliberately austere, with no stained glass or decorative elements, and it is oriented to capture the light of the rising and setting sun, symbolizing the passage of time.

How did Le Corbusier incorporate geometric shapes into the monastery’s design?

Le Corbusier used fundamental geometric shapes like cubes, pyramids, parallelepipeds, and cylinders throughout the monastery. These shapes form the basis of the building’s design, creating a visually dynamic space while maintaining a sense of harmony and order.