"To be modern is not a fashion, it is a state. It is necessary to understand history, and he who understands history knows how to find continuity between that which was, that which is, and that which will be."
Le Corbusier
Architect, Designer, Urban Planner
Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French architect known for pioneering modern architecture and urban planning, notably through his work 'Villa Savoye'.
- Born
- October 6, 1887
- Died
- August 27, 1965
- Quotes
- 42
- Rank
- #505
About Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier — Life and Legacy
Le Corbusier, born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, was a transformative figure in architecture and urbanism, whose ideas reshaped the built environment in the 20th century. His work, particularly 'Villa Savoye', exemplifies his belief in functionality and simplicity, merging aesthetics with practical living. He famously stated, 'A house is a machine for living in,' which encapsulates his vision that architecture should prioritize the needs of its inhabitants. This perspective led him to develop the 'Five Points of Architecture', which challenged traditional design by advocating for open spaces and the integration of nature into urban settings. His concepts, such as the 'Radiant City', proposed a new urban model that emphasized light, air, and green spaces, reflecting his commitment to improving living conditions. Le Corbusier's influence extends beyond architecture; his ideas continue to inspire contemporary discussions on urban planning and sustainable living. His quotes resonate today, reminding us of the importance of designing spaces that enhance human experience and interaction.
Quote collection
Le Corbusier quotes (page 1 of 3)
42 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep."
"Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light."
"You employ stone, wood and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good, I am happy and I say: This is beautiful. That is Architecture. Art enters in."
"Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light: light and shade reveal these forms."
"Light creates ambience and feel of a place, as well as the expression of a structure."
"The materials of city planning are: sky, space, trees, steel and cement; in that order and that hierarchy."
"The purpose of construction is TO MAKE THINGS HOLD TOGETHER; of architecture TO MOVE US."
"Architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light; light and shade reveal these forms; cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the great primary forms which light reveals to advantage; the image of these is distinct and tangible within us without ambiguity. It is for this reason that these are beautiful forms, the most beautiful forms. Everybody is agreed to that, the child, the savage and the metaphysician."
"I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies."
"Chairs are architecture, sofas are bourgeois."
"You don't start a revolution by fighting the state but by presenting the solutions."
"A house is a machine for living in."
"Modern life demands, and is waiting for, a new kind of plan, both for the house and the city."
"Life never stops. The torment of men will be eternal, unless the function of creating and acting and changing, living intensely through each day, be considered an eternal joy."
"To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order? Function and objects."
"The city of Chandigarh is planned to human scale. It puts us in touch with the infinite cosmos and nature. It provides us with places and buildings for all human activities by which the citizens can live a full and harmonious life. Here the radiance of nature and heart are within our reach."
"The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light."
"The home should be the treasure chest of living."
"You know, it is life that is right and the architect who is wrong."