The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

From the World Heritage inscription for The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier:

Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past. They were built over a period of a half-century, in the course of what Le Corbusier described as “patient research”. The Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the Unité d’habitation in Marseille (France) reflect the solutions that the Modern Movement sought to apply during the 20th century to the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society. These masterpieces of creative genius also attest to the internationalization of architectural practice across the planet.

Overview of The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier is a serial site with 17 locations located in 7 different countries on 3 different continents which celebrate the work of 20th-century architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, aka Le Corbusier.

To date, I have only visited Maison Guiete in Antwerp and the Petite villa au bord du lac Léman in Vevey, Switzerland.

As with most serial sites, I will be visiting more of the locations which make up the site as I continue to travel.

Here is a complete list of locations which comprise the world heritage site:

  • Argentina, Curutchet House
  • Belgium, Maison Guiete
  • France, Maisons La Roche et Jeanneret
  • France, Immeuble locatif à la Porte Molitor
  • France, Unité d’habitation Marseille
  • France, La Manufacture à Saint-Dié
  • France, Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut de Ronchamp
  • France, Cabanon de Le Corbusier
  • France, Cité Frugès
  • France, Villa Savoye et loge du jardiner
  • France, Couvent Sainte-Marie-de-la-Tourette
  • France, Maison de la Culture de Firminy
  • Germany, Maisons de la Weissenhof-Siedlung
  • India, Complexe du Capitole
  • Japan, Musée National des Beaux-Arts de l’Occident
  • Switzerland, Immeuble Clarté
  • Switzerland, Petite villa au bord du lac Léman

Visiting Maison Guiete, Antwerp, Belgium

As of January 2017, the home is not open to the public or visitation. As it has only recently be inscribed to the world heritage list, there is nothing on the outside of the building which indicates its world heritage status. There are no signs or plaques indicating that it has world heritage status. Like the Stoclet House in Brussels, all you can do it stand outside and take photos. My cab driver (shown in the photo) had no idea about the importance of the house.

Visiting Petite villa au bord du lac Léman

The exterior of Petite villa au bord du lac Léman
The exterior of Petite villa au bord du lac Léman


My visit to Petite villa au bord du lac Léman was a much more meaningful visit than my previous visit to Maison Guiete. The property is right off of the main highway along the lake outside of the city of Vevey. The house is very small and was originally designed for Le Corbusier’s mother. She lived in the house until she died at the age of 100. The house is situated on the shore of Lake Leman and incorporates many features that are commonplace in homes today but were revolutionary at the time of its construction.

The home is owned by the Le Corbusier foundation

Overview

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed in 2016 and is attributed to several countries including Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, and Switzerland. This UNESCO property consists of 17 sites in total, all of which are attributed for the work of Franco-Swiss architect, Le Corbusier.

The sites are recognized for their architectural value due to the ability to exhibit modernism and its application in construction. It was also the best way to showcase how modernism had a global reach in terms of being an architectural style.

About the The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

Maison Guiete in Antwerp
Maison Guiete, Antwerp, Belgium

The Maison Guiette is one of the 17 architectural structures that are named into the UNESCO site The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier. It is also commonly referred to as Les Peupliers. This is a house that is located in the city of Antwerp in Belgium. The house was designed by Le Corbusier in 1926. The construction for this house started in 1927.

Maison Guiette served as the personal studio and living quarter of Rene Guiette, who had commissioned for this house to be built. He was a painter and art critic. This house in Belgium is one of the lesser-known works of Le Corbusier. However, it is recognized by UNESCO for its ability to exhibit a modern but international style.

Interior of the Petite villa au bord du lac Léman
Interior of the Petite villa au bord du lac Léman

Le Corbusier

Since the UNESCO property was just recently inscribed, and since many of the architectural structures are off-limits to the public, it is difficult for tourists to fully appreciate the significance of The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier as a UNESCO site. However, those who are part of or are familiar with the international architectural stage, Le Corbusier is a famous name. He is recognized as a pioneer and trailblazer within the industry.

Le Corbusier was born as Charles-Edouard Jeanneret in Switzerland in 1887. He adapted his now-famous pseudonym in 1920. Since then, this name has become popular in the world of architecture. His influence is so far-reaching that he is considered as one of the most influential representatives of modern architecture. His works serve as proof of the exchange of ideas from all over the world that shaped his ideas about architecture. For 5 decades, he has broken the norm and introduced modernist architecture on an international scale.


View the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium.

Gary Arndt
Gary Arndt

Gary began traveling the world in 2007. His travels have taken him to over 200 countries and territories and 400 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

He is a 3x Lowell Thomas Award winner and a 3x North American Travel Photographer of the Year.

5 thoughts on “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier”

  1. Hi Gary! I’m a huge fan of your work, both in blogging and photography. Also of course listen to the podcast. I live in La Plata, Argentina. Was also born and raised here. But haven’t been to Casa Curutchet yet, can you believe? If you ever come down this way, let me know!

  2. Le Corbusier is one of my favorite architects! A true visionary. Although some of its buildings are beautiful, I’m not sure if they’re so comfortable – at least for its houses.
    Regards

Comments are closed.