Le Corbusier
Pioneer of modern architecture
Most quoted
"The architect, by his arrangement of forms, realizes an order which is a pure creation of his spirit; by forms and shapes he affects our senses to produce plastic emotions; by the relationships which he creates, he awakens in us profound echoes, he gives us the measure of an order which we feel to be in accordance with that of our world, he determines the various movements of our heart and of our understanding; it is then that we experience the sense of beauty."
— from Towards a New Architecture, 1923
"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 without ambiguity. It is for this reason that these are beautiful forms, the most beautiful forms."
— from Towards a New Architecture, 1923
"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 without ambiguity. It is for this reason that these are beautiful forms, the most beautiful forms."
— from Towards a New Architecture, 1923
All quotes by Le Corbusier (365)
The plan is the generator.
Architecture brings the human scale into being.
To create architecture is to put in order. Put in order: I think that's the definition of architecture.
The history of architecture is the history of the window.
Mass production houses will be the norm.
The facade is the skin of the building.
I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.
The eye is the only organ of the body that does not grow old.
Urbanism is the branch of architecture that deals with the city.
The pilot's cabin is the brain of the airplane.
Architecture is a plastic thing; it must be felt.
The street is a place to walk.
I am a man of the book.
The house is a machine for living in, baths, sun, hot water, cold water, warmth at will, conservation of food, hygiene, beauty in every detail.
We must kill the street.
The roof garden is the most beautiful thing.
Architecture is the art of arranging forms in space.
The human scale is the measure of all things.
Light creates ambience.
The city of tomorrow will be horizontal.
Contemporaries of Le Corbusier
Other Architectures born within 50 years of Le Corbusier (1887–1965).