There's something about phi - Chapter 20 - Le Corbusier and the Modulor

Javier Romañach

25 May 201503:54

Summary

TLDRCharles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, was a renowned 20th-century French architect celebrated globally for his innovative approach to design. He is particularly famous for developing the 'Modulor,' a system of proportions based on the golden section, which he used to define measurements in his architectural works. Le Corbusier's starting point for the Modulor was the human figure, with an extended arm, setting a base height of 1.65 meters. This led to a series of measurements that were intrinsically linked to human dimensions, which he applied in his designs, such as in Chandigarh, India, and in various buildings and sculptures. The Modulor became a signature element in Le Corbusier's work, showcasing his belief in the harmony between human scale and architectural design.

Takeaways

📐 Le Corbusier was a renowned 20th-century French architect known globally for his work.
🎨 He is famous for developing the Modular system, which is based on the Golden Ratio.
🌟 The Modular system uses specific measurements derived from the Golden Ratio to define architectural dimensions.
🧍 Le Corbusier started with a human figure with an extended arm to establish a base unit of 1.13 meters.
📏 He applied the Golden Ratio to this base unit to create a series of proportions related to human dimensions.
🏙️ The Modular was used in urban planning, notably in the design of Chandigarh, a city in India.
🏢 The system was also applied in many buildings, including the Unité d'habitation and Villa Savoye.
🗽 Le Corbusier's use of the Modular system reflects his belief in the harmony of human scale and architectural design.
📈 The application of the Golden Ratio in his work aimed to create aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces.
🌍 The influence of Le Corbusier's Modular system is seen in various architectural projects around the world.
📚 The script suggests that understanding Le Corbusier's approach to design can provide insight into the integration of human scale and proportion in architecture.

Q & A

Who was Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, also known as?
-Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, also known as Le Corbusier, was a renowned French architect of the 20th century.
What is the Golden Section?
-The Golden Section, also known as the Golden Ratio, is a mathematical concept that relates to proportions and is often associated with aesthetic beauty in art and architecture.
What is the Modulor system?
-The Modulor is a system of proportions based on the golden section, which Le Corbusier developed to define measurements in architecture that are harmonious with human dimensions.
How did Le Corbusier start to define the measurements of the Modulor?
-Le Corbusier started with a human figure with an extended arm, which he set to a height of 1.65 meters, and then applied the golden section to derive a series of proportions.
What is the significance of the height of 1.65 meters in the Modulor system?
-The height of 1.65 meters was used as a reference to establish a human scale in the Modulor system, which Le Corbusier believed would resonate with people on an intuitive level.
How did Le Corbusier apply the Modulor in his architectural works?
-Le Corbusier applied the Modulor in many of his architectural projects, including the planning of the city of Chandigarh in India and in various buildings and sculptures.
Can you name a few of Le Corbusier's works where the Modulor was used?
-Some of the works where Le Corbusier used the Modulor include the Unité d'habitation in 1945, the Villa La Roche in 1952, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Haut in 1956, the three buildings of the Cité Radieuse in 1957, and the Villa Savoie in 1931.
What is the significance of the city of Chandigarh in relation to Le Corbusier's work?
-Chandigarh is significant because it was a city that Le Corbusier was commissioned to plan, and he applied the principles of the Modulor extensively in its design and in many of the buildings within the city.
What is the relationship between the golden section and human dimensions?
-The golden section is believed to create proportions that are aesthetically pleasing and harmonious with human perception. By starting with human dimensions, Le Corbusier aimed to make his architectural designs more relatable and comfortable for people.
How does the Modulor system reflect Le Corbusier's philosophy of architecture?
-The Modulor system reflects Le Corbusier's philosophy that architecture should be based on mathematical principles and human scale, aiming to create a harmonious and functional living environment.
What is the significance of the Modulor in the history of architecture?
-The Modulor is significant in the history of architecture as it represents an attempt to apply scientific principles to design, aiming to achieve a universal standard of proportions that could be applied across different architectural projects.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Le Corbusier's Modular System

The paragraph introduces Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, a renowned French architect of the 20th century. It discusses his invention of the modular system, which is based on the golden section. Le Corbusier used a human figure with an extended arm as a starting point to define measurements, leading to a series of proportions related to human dimensions. His work in Chandigarh, India, is highlighted, where he applied the modular system to the city's planning and many of its buildings. The paragraph also mentions his use of the modular system in various works, such as the Unité d'habitation in 1945, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut in 1952, and the Villa Roche in 1957.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Charles-Edouard Jeanneret

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, and writer, famous for his contributions to modern architecture. In the video, he is credited with developing the Modulor system, which is a key theme in discussing his architectural philosophy and its impact on urban planning and design.

💡Modulor

The Modulor is a system of proportions based on the golden ratio that Le Corbusier developed to create a harmonious and human-scale environment in architecture. It is a set of mathematical proportions that relate to the human figure and is used to define measurements in his designs. The video emphasizes its significance in Le Corbusier's work, particularly in his buildings and urban planning projects.

💡Golden Ratio

The golden ratio, often denoted by the Greek letter Phi (Φ), is a mathematical concept where a line is divided in such a way that the ratio of the whole line to the longer part is the same as the longer part to the shorter part. It is approximately 1.61803398875. The video mentions its use in the Modulor system, highlighting its aesthetic and functional importance in Le Corbusier's architectural designs.

💡Human Figure

In the context of the video, the human figure is used as a starting point for Le Corbusier to establish the measurements of the Modulor. By using an extended arm of a person as a reference, he set the base of his system to 1.13 meters, which is related to the average height of a human. This approach is integral to the video's theme of creating architecture that is in harmony with human dimensions.

💡Architecture

Architecture is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or any other structures. The video focuses on Le Corbusier's approach to architecture, emphasizing how his use of the Modulor system influenced his designs to be more functional and aesthetically pleasing, aligning with human proportions and the golden ratio.

💡Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a city in India that was planned and designed by Le Corbusier. It serves as an example in the video of how the Modulor system was applied on a large scale in urban planning. The city's layout and many of its buildings reflect the use of the Modulor, demonstrating Le Corbusier's vision for a modern, well-organized city.

💡Buildings

The video discusses several specific buildings designed by Le Corbusier that incorporate the Modulor system. These include the Unité d'habitation in Marseille (1945-1952), the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp (1955), and the Villa Savoye (1931). These buildings exemplify the application of the Modulor in creating structures that are harmonious with human scale and proportion.

💡Sculpture

While the video primarily focuses on architecture, it also mentions that Le Corbusier applied the principles of the Modulor to sculpture, indicating the versatility of his design philosophy. The Modulor's emphasis on human scale and proportion is equally applicable to three-dimensional art forms, further illustrating its comprehensive nature.

💡Urban Planning

Urban planning is the process of designing cities and towns in a way that is efficient, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. The video highlights Le Corbusier's use of the Modulor in urban planning, particularly in the design of Chandigarh. His approach to urban planning using the Modulor aimed to create well-organized, functional, and harmonious environments for people.

💡Human Dimensions

Human dimensions refer to the consideration of human scale and proportion in design. The video emphasizes that Le Corbusier's Modulor system is based on human dimensions, with the goal of creating spaces that are comfortable and relatable to people. This concept is central to the video's narrative, as it underpins the design philosophy of Le Corbusier and the use of the Modulor.

💡Aesthetics

Aesthetics is the study of beauty and the principles that guide the creation of art and design. The video discusses how the Modulor system, with its basis in the golden ratio, contributes to the aesthetic quality of Le Corbusier's architectural designs. The use of the golden ratio is believed to create a sense of harmony and balance, which are key elements in the aesthetics of his work.

Highlights

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, was a renowned French architect of the 20th century.

Le Corbusier was famous worldwide for his innovative architectural designs.

He developed the Modular system, which is based on the Golden Ratio.

The Modular system uses specific measurements derived from the Golden Section to define architectural proportions.

Le Corbusier started with a human figure with an extended arm to establish the base unit of the Modular.

The base unit was set at 1.65 meters, representing the height of an average person with an arm raised.

He applied the Golden Ratio to this base unit to obtain a series of proportions for architectural elements.

The resulting series provided measures related to human dimensions, enhancing the functionality and aesthetic of his designs.

Le Corbusier's use of the Modular system can be seen in his work on the city of Chandigarh, India.

The city plan and many of its buildings were designed using the principles of the Modular system.

The Modular system was also used in several of his other works, including the Unité d'habitation in Marseille.

Le Corbusier's innovative use of the Modular system influenced a generation of architects and continues to be studied today.

The Modular system is considered a significant contribution to the field of architecture, blending mathematical principles with human scale design.

Le Corbusier's approach to architecture emphasized the importance of human-centered design.

His work in Chandigarh is a testament to the practical application of the Modular system on a large scale.

The Modular system's use in buildings like the Unité d'habitation demonstrates its versatility in residential design.

Le Corbusier's designs, informed by the Modular system, have had a lasting impact on urban planning and architectural theory.

The Modular system's mathematical foundation provides a unique framework for architects to create harmonious and proportionate spaces.

Le Corbusier's legacy is marked by his ability to integrate artistic vision with scientific principles in his architectural projects.