When it comes to 20th century architects, the name of Le Corbusier might come to mind. Who was he and how did he contribute to the world of furniture?
Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier is actually the pseudonym of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, a Swiss architect born in 1887. He is indeed one of the most influential figures of 20th century architecture and is credited for bringing this field to the technological age.
His vision was to transform the urban landscape in order to meet the needs of a democratic society dominated by the machines. He was interested both in classical Greek architecture and the industrial processes and machines of his time.
In his book Vers Une Architecture, he talks about the house as a “machine for living”, an industrial product that should provide functional living conditions. In another occasion, in 1923, he said “Modern life demands, and is waiting for, a new kind of plan, both for the house and the city”.
Being a forward thinking designer, he co-authored a system of furniture that projected the new Rationalist aesthetic that would come to define the International Style.
LC1 from Le Corbusier
He invented tubular steel furniture and the iconic LC4 Chaise Longue and LC2 and LC3 seating collections.
These very famous designs are a study in simplicity and elegant minimalism. Devoid of superfluous ornamentation, his collections focused on the function of objects and their place in modern life.
Source of information: Design within reach