Le Corbusier

In the competitive world of furniture design, only a few handpicked men and women are regarded as the greatest designers of the field. One such man is Le Corbusier. A Swiss by birth, the French architect and designer Le Corbusier helped pioneer modernism, notably the International Style, in both architecture and furniture design. His concepts for interior furniture of simplicity and functionality were highly revolutionary for his time, and he is considered both an icon and saint by modern furniture designers to this day.

Born Charles Édouard Jeanneret Gris on October 6, 1887, Le Corbusier was an architect by trade and designed furniture mainly to complement the interior spaces of his building projects. His furniture designs were distinctly of the International Style, a "stylistic" aspect of modern design which emphasized volume over mass, balance over symmetry, and the absence of ornament. Le Corbusier's designs also gave importance to functionality, likening modern furniture as a "human-limb object" that served as an extension of the human limb while being discreet in doing so as much as possible. In addition, Le Corbusier also wrote about furniture design in several books, notably the 1925 book L'Art décoratif d'aujourd'hui (The Decorative Arts of Today).

Many consider Le Corbusier's greatest body of work in furniture design to be in 1928, when he invited French interior designer Charlotte Perriand to work in his studio. In partnership with Perriand (as well as with Le Corbusier's cousin Pierre Jeanneret), Le Corbusier designed and built several experimental steel furniture that were later used at his Maison la Roche project as well as the Pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church in Paris. The furniture was eventually expanded into a collection, and showcased at the Autumn Salon exhibition of 1929 in Paris under the installation Equipment for the Home. The Le Corbusier furniture collections featured at the Salon, like the LC3 and LC2 collections, are still being manufactured as reproduction pieces.

Born on the 6th of October 1887, Le Corbusier is an architect, furniture designer, writer, and an influential pioneer in modern architecture and furniture design. In the same line as his contemporary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier paved the way for modernism for both architecture and furniture design in the early 20th century and remains a major influence and inspiration to designers and their work to this day.

A native of the historic Swiss border town of La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) had an eye for design since he was a child. When he was 18 years old, he had already built a first house on his own and in 1907 he worked for the French reinforced concrete pioneer René Chapallazin Paris. In 1910 Le Corbusier moved to Berlin and became an apprentice of the famous German architect Peter Behrens. Finally, in 1922 Le Corbusier established his own studio at the 35 Rue de Sevres with his cousin and fellow architect Pierre Jeanneret.

As with other architects of the modern movement during that period, Le Corbusier's buildings were characterized for their frequent use of industrial materials like steel and glass as well as modern processes in construction. Today some of the buildings Le Corbusier designed, including the Villa Savoye in France and the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, can still be seen to this day.

Although he was already experimenting with furniture design way before the 1920's it was not until 1928 that Le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture design. In collaboration with French interior designer Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier created several tubular steel furniture that he later used to furnish the interiors of two of his projects, the Maison la Roche and the Pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church in Paris. These furniture were later expanded into the current Le Corbusier collection, and exhibited at the Salon d' Automne at Paris in 1929.

Le Corbusier (1887-1965), whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, was a Swiss-born, French architect, designer, urban planner, and writer. He pioneered modern design in the 20th century. Along with his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier is recognized as an influential leader of the Modern movement and helped establish the modernism as the dominant style in both architecture and furniture design in the early to mid-20th century.

As an architect, Le Corbusier was very prolific. With a career that encompassed the first half of the 20th century, he designed buildings and free-standing structures worldwide from Europe to the Far East. His architectural designs were distinctly of the International style, a more stylistic branch of modern design which gave emphasis on balance and volume as well as the lack of ornament. He is also credited for helping establish Purism, a form of Cubist art, and the Modulor system in architectural measurements. Some of the buildings he designed, such as the Villa Savoye in France and the National Museum of Western Art in Japan, can still be seen today.

In addition to his work in architecture, Le Corbusier also designed furniture for use in the interiors of the buildings he designed. In 1928, Le Corbusier began collaboration with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret and interior designer Charlotte Perriand that resulted with several tubular steel furniture items. These furnishings were later expanded into the now-standard Le Corbusier furniture collection, and displayed at the Salon d' Automne or Autumn Salon exhibition in 1929 at Paris under the Equipment for the Home installation. Today most if not all of the designs featured at the Salon, including the tubular steel LC1 Sling Chair and the LC4 Chaise Lounge, are available as reproduction pieces from various manufacturers.

Born on October 31, 1886 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Le Corbusier(pseudonym of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) is an architect, designer, and pioneer of the Modern Movement in both architecture and furniture design in the early 20th century. He, along with his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray, is credited for beaing earliest proponents of modern furniture design and continue to influence designers and their work to this day.

As with most of his contemporaries during that period, Le Corbusier started out as an architect before venturing into furniture design. By the time he was 18 years old, Le Corbusier had already designed and built house on his own and was apprenticed under the famed German architect Peter Behrens. Le Corbusier's architectural designs were notable for its expression of volume over mass and for its lack or ornaments; characteristics which would later define the International Style. Today several of Le Corbusier's buildings, such as the Villa Savoye in France and the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan, can still be seen to this day.

Le Corbusier's foray into furniture design began in 1928 when he invited French interior designer Charlotte Perriand to work in his studio. This collaboration between Le Corbusier and Perriand eventually resulted with several tubular steel furniture, which were later used at the Maison la Roche and the Pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church in Paris. These furnishings were later expanded into a collection, and displayed at the prestigious Salon d' Automne (Autumn Salon) art exhibition in Paris in 1929.

Currently, the Milan-based designer furniture company Cassina S.p.A is the premier manufacturer of authentic Le Corbusier furniture reproductions. Cassina acquired the rights from Le Corbusier to produce his designs in 1964, and is currently authorized to do so by the Fondation le Corbusier. However, because of his design's popularity reproductions of Le Corbusier's designs by other manufacturers have also become widely available on the market.

The success and eventual dominance of the Modern design movement in the 20th century owes much to innumerable designers who exemplified its sleek, functional qualities. But of all of Modern design's proponents, probably none were as influential as that of Le Corbusier. Hailed as one of the greatest furniture designers off all time, the Swiss-French architect-designer Le Corbusier pioneered the Modern design movement in the early 20th century.

Born on October, 1887 at the historic watchmaking town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) studied drawing at the local art school before his professor encouraged him to take up architecture instead. In 1910, Le Corbusier moved to Berlin and was apprenticed under the famed architect Peter Behrens. It was during his stay at Behrens that Le Corbusier learned how to speak German and met his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius. After his apprenticeship was completed in 1911, Le Corbusier taught briefly at his old school at La Chaux-de-Fonds before starting his own professional practice with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret in 1914. Notable examples of Le Corbusier's structures include the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo and the Villa Savoye in France.

Like most designers during that period, Le Corbusier designed furniture initially to complement his architectural projects. Prior to making his own furnishings Le Corbusier relied on ready made pieces from third-party manufacturers. Then in 1928 Le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture design and invited the French designer Charlotte Perriand to work with him in his studio. This collaboration between Le Corbusier and Perriand resulted with several tubular steel furnishings that were later used for two of Le Corbusier's projects, the Maison la Roche and the Pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church. The furnishings were later expanded into several collections and were displayed at the prestigious Autumn Salon art exhibition in 1929. Several of the designs displayed at the Salon, such as the LC1 Sling Chair and the LC4 Chaise Longue, are still being manufactured to this day.

Regarded as one of the major pioneers of the Modern movement in architecture and furniture design in the 20th century, Le Corbusier (Charles Edouard Jeanneret Gris) is an architect, furniture designer, writer, and teacher of the International Style of design.

Born on October 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Le Corbusier studied drawing at the local art school but was later persuaded by a professor to take up architecture instead. By the time he was eighteen years old, Le Corbusier had already built his first house and in 1910 moved to Berlin to work as an apprentice at the office of the architect Peter Behrens. During this period Le Corbusier became acquainted with fellow architects and modernist pioneers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, who were also apprenticed to Behrens. After finishing his apprenticeship, Le Corbusier taught architecture briefly before establishing his own professional practice alongside his cousin Pierre Jeanneret in 1914.

Le Corbusier started his career designed traditional homes but gradually shifted to the International Style due to his belief that traditional design is obsolete. His architectural projects, such as the Villa Savoye, the Tokyo Museum of Western Art, and the Palace of Justice in Chandigarh, India, were known for their simple, geometric construction and lack of ornaments. In addition, Le Corbusier also experimented with furniture design in 1928. In collaboration with French designer Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier produced several tubular steel designs that were later displayed as a collection at the Equipment for the Home installation in the 1929 Salon d' Automne art exhibition. Today, several of his designs are part of the collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and are still being produced as reproduction pieces by several manufacturers around the world.

Le Corbusier continued making architectural and furniture designs until his death in while swimming near the coast of France.

Since its emergence in the early 1920's and 30's, the International Style has transitioned from being one of the major styles in architecture to a major driving force in furniture design. One of the people who have made this evolution possible is the Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier. Regarded as one of the early pioneers of modern design, Le Corbusier incorporated the International Style into his furniture designs and is one of its most well-recognized proponents.

Much like his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) initially made his furniture designs for his structures. Prior to making his own designs Le Corbusier relied heavily on ready-made furnishings from other manufacturers, notably from French furniture maker Michael Thonet, for his architectural projects. Then in 1928, Le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture design and invited the French designer Lilly Reich to help him in his studio. This collaboration with Perriand (and with the assistance of Le Corbusier's cousin Pierre Jeanneret) resulted with three chrome-plated tubular steel chairs which were later used in two of Le Corbusier's projects, the Maison la Roche and the Pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church in Paris. The chairs were later expanded into a collection and put on display at the Salon d' Automne art exhibition in 1929.

Le Corbusier's designs were first put into production in the 1930s under the Thonet and Embru furniture companies respectively. Then in 1964, the Italian furniture company Cassina acquired the exclusive rights from Le Corbusier to manufacture his furniture designs. To date Cassina still remains as the sole authorized manufacturer of authentic Le Corbusier furniture collection, of which includes the famous LC1 Sling Chair, the LC2 Petite Lounge Chair, and the LC4 Chaise Lounge. However, due to the immense popularity of his designs unauthorized reproductions of Le Corbusier's work have also proliferated on the market.

The International Style, known for its emphasis on balance and volume, is regarded as one of the most dominant aspects of the 20th century modernist movement in architecture and furniture design. And one of the most famous pioneers of this style in furniture is the famed Swiss-French designer and architect Le Corbusier. Hailed as one of the greatest designers of the 20th century, Le Corbusier produced some of the most well-known examples of International Style furniture design that are still sought after by collectors to this day.

Like his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier actually worked as an architect and used his furniture designs to fill the interior of his architecture projects. Before he started making designs on his own Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) relied on ready made furnishings from other manufacturers (most frequently from the famous furniture maker Michael Thonet) to furnish the interiors of his projects. Then, in 1928, Le Corbusier began experimenting with several furniture designs he made and began collaborating with designer Charlotte Perriand in his studio. This collaboration later resulted into the creation of three tubular steel chair designs, which were later expanded into the grand Le Corbusier collection and displayed at the 1929 Salon d' Automne in Paris under the Equipment for the Home installation.

In addition to his contributions to the International Style, Le Corbusier is also known as an early pioneer of ergonomic furniture. In the book L'Art Décoratif d'aujourd'hui, which he wrote in 1925, Le Corbusier divided furniture into three different types: type-needs, type-furniture, and human-limb objects. Of these three Le Corbusier gave the human-limb object furniture the most importance, citing that these kinds of furnishings are "extensions" of the human limb and are therefore adapted to its functions. This importance on functionality and free-flowing comfort espoused by Le Corbusier can be found in all of his furniture creations, of which notable examples include the LC1 Sling Chair and the LC4 Chaise Lounge.

In the field of modern furniture design, only a few are entitled to be called as one of the greatest. One of the people who have achieved such accolade is the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. An architect by training and trade, Le Corbusier integrated the characteristics found in modern architecture into furniture design and thus producing chairs, couches and other furnishings that are sleek, functional, and elegant.

Prior to making his own Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) relied heavily on ready-made furnishings from third-party manufacturers. Then in 1928 Le Corbusier started experimenting with several furniture designs and offered designer Charlotte Perriand a job in his studio. Le Corbusier's collaboration with Perriand later resulted with three tubular chairs that were later used for his architectural projects. Soon after the chairs were expanded into a collection and exhibited at the Salon d' Automne in Paris, where they were received with very positive reviews.

One popular example of a Le Corbusier furniture design is the so-called LC1 Sling Chair. One of Le Corbusier's early designs, the Sling Chair is a tubular chair composed of a sleek steel frame, a combined leather seat and backrest with matching arm rests. The chair is relatively light for its size, and is a modern rendition of the classic British officer's armchair. It's most striking feature, however, is the leather armrest on both sides; rather than the conventional padded design the armrests are made from thin strips looped together around the frame. This belt-like construction enables the user to rest his or her arms while at the same time provide enough freedom of movement for the arms. In addition, the Sling Chair also features an easy-to-use adjusting mechanism on the back that enables the chair to tilt accordingly with the user's sitting position.

In addition to producing designs of various furnishings, Le Corbusier also wrote a book about the subject, the L'Art Décoratif d'aujourd'hui. Written in 1925, the book splits furniture into three different types: type-needs, type-furniture, and human limb objects. Of these three types Le Corbusier gave the human-limb objects the most importance, citing it as "extensions of our limbs and adapted to human functions". He also compared the human-limb object type of furniture as a docile servant that is both discreet and self-effacing in order to provide its occupant (or master, in this case) freedom of movement and functionality. These qualities were later implemented on the chairs Le Corbusier made with Perriand as well as for his subsequent designs.

Nowadays, if you wanted to become a recognized furniture designer you need to take up interior design or a similar course and spend several years working under the wing of an accomplished designer. However, it is surprising to note that quite a handful of the great furniture designers of the 20th century were not trained to become designers at all. One such man is the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier.

Credited worldwide as one of the leading pioneers of modern furniture design, the great Le Corbusier did not have any background in furniture design and was actually an architect. Born on October 6, 1887 at the sleepy city of La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) was attracted to the visual arts at an early age and studied at the local art school, where his fascination for architecture blossomed. Then in 1907 he travelled to Paris and worked at the office of renowned reinforced concrete pioneer Auguste Perret. However, the young Corbusier's stay with Perret did not last long, as in 1910 he moved again to Berlin to work as an apprentice for the architect Peter Behrens. It was at Behrens that Le Corbusier was exposed to the current design theories that was prevalent in Germany met his contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, who were also pioneers of modernist movement in their own right. Not long after, Le Corbusier started his own architectural practice with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret and began his career in modernist architecture.

Before Le Corbusier ventured into making furniture designs, he was heavily reliant on other manufacturers (most notable being the Thonet furniture company) to furnish the interiors of his architectural projects. Then in 1928, Corbusier invited interior designer Charlotte Perriand to work in his studio and began collaborating with her on several experimental furniture designs. This collaboration later resulted with the creation of three tubular chairs (whose frames were conceptualized by Perriand) and were used as furnishings for several of Le Corbusier's projects. Later the chair designs were expanded into a collection and shown at the prestigious 1929 Salon d' Automne in Paris, and became one of the more popular exhibits.

Aside from furnishings, Le Corbusier also wrote and published a book titled the "L'Art Décoratif d'aujourd'hui". Completed in 1925, the book describes Corbusier's concept that furniture is the extensions of the human limb and therefore must be adapted to its functions. Corbusier also added that furniture should be like humble servants that are discreet and free-flowing in their functions.

Although he is more commonly known as an early pioneer of modern architectural design, the Swiss-French architect is also known by many as one of the founding fathers of the modern design for furniture. In the same league as his fellow architects and contemporaries Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier utilized the skills and knowledge he acquired in architecture into furniture design, creating chairs, sofas and other furnishings that are simple, functional and elegant.

Prior to designing his own furniture, Le Corbusier initially used ready-made furnishings from other manufacturers (the most notable was the Thonet furniture company) to fill the interior spaces of his architectural projects. Then in 1929 Le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture design and invited designer Charlotte Perriand to work with him in his studio. This collaboration by Corbusier and Perriand led to creation of three tubular steel chairs that were later used as interior furnishings for Maison la Roche and the pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church in Paris. Later the chairs were expanded into a collection and exhibited in 1929 at the Equipment for the Home installation at the Salon d' Automne, where they were very warmly received and the Salon's popular exhibits.

In his long career Le Corbusier has produced more than a handful of furniture designs, but all of them can be best outlined in his 1925 book, the L'Art Décoratif d'aujourd'hui. In the book, which written in 1925, Corbusier divided furniture into three parts: type-furniture, type-needs, and human-limb objects. Of the three he gave the human-limb objects more importance, explaining that these kinds of furniture are "extensions" of the human limb are therefore complement to its functions. In addition, Corbusier also implied that furniture design must be in a way that the furniture must be discreet and self-effacing so that it becomes functional while allowing its user to move freely.

After the initial success of his collection at the Salon in 1929, Le Corbusier put his designs into limited production under Thonet and later with Embru, a Swiss-based company. Then in the late 1950s the entire collection was re-introduced to the public with the help of Heidi Weber, a museum owner from Zurich who displayed most of Corbusier's work in exhibits. With Le Corbusier's permission, Weber also made modifications to some of his designs, including the removal of the spring mechanism on the sofas as well as coating the frames with a glossy chrome finish.

The 20th century has produced a lot of furniture designers in its 100-year lifespan, but only a few are said to be leaders of the art. One of the people who have gained such acclaim is the Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier. Along with his fellow contemporaries Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier helped spread the modern design movement and still influences modern architectural and furniture designs to this day.

Like most furniture designers of his time, Le Corbusier (whose real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) was trained as an architect. Born on October 6, 1887, Le Corbusier studied at the art school in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. After finishing his studies, Le Corbusier started work with reinforced concrete pioneer Auguste Perret. Then in 1910, he became an apprentice in the office of Peter Behrens, a highly-respected architect. It was under Behrens that Le Corbusier was said to have met Gropius and Mies van der Rohe, who were also working at Behren's office during that period.

Before Le Corbusier started designing and making furniture, he relied heavily on ready-made pieces to furnish his architectural projects. But in 1928, Le Corbusier invited the designer Charlotte Perriand to work in his studio and started to experiment with furniture designs. This collaboration with Perriand resulted with three tubular steel and leather chairs, which were later used as furnishings for the Maison la Roche in Paris and the pavilion of Barbara and Henry Church which Le Corbusier designed. Then in 1929, the chairs expanded into a collection, and was exhibited in the prestigious Salon d' Automne exhibition under the "Equipment for the Home" installation.

Le Corbusier's philosophy for design can be summarized in his 1925 book, the L'Art Décoratif d'aujourd'hui. In the book, Le Corbusier pointed out the importance of furniture as "human limb" objects, which he described as "extensions of our limbs and adapted to human functions". He also defined good furniture design as a "docile servant" that is both discreet and self-effacing in function so that it allows its "master" to move freely while providing ample comfort and function at the same time. Le Corbusier is also said to be the source of the famous adage "Chairs are architecture, sofas are bourgeois".

Although Le Corbusier died due from an alleged heart attack in 1965, his legacy and influence still lives on in his designs. His furniture pieces, which include the LC1 Basculant sling chair and the LC2 Grand Comfort sofas, are considered as epitomes of modern furniture design and are highly sought after as reproductions.