L’unite D’habitation- Le Corbusier

L'Unité d'habitation (1)

1946 - 1952

Cast concrete apartment block

280 Boulevard Michelet

13008 Marseille

France

Sited to have a clear view of nature and the Mediterranean Sea

137 m x 24 m x 56 m

18 floors + sun deck roof-terrace

1,600 residents, 337 apartment blocks (23 variations)

Facilities include kindergarden,hotel, shops, offices and gymnasium

Purpose:

L’unite D’habitation was commissioned in the summer after the end of world war two. Rebuilding the damaged city was the primary goal. A quick affordable solution was needed to provide 32000 families with homes in Marseilles. Le Corbusier’s experiments with collective housing solutions resulted in the construction of L’unite. As a prototype for a radical renewal of apartment blocks, the building was designed on a spatial, functional and social level. Each apartment block takes up one and a half floors (the half floor being shared with the opposite neighbors). As a result, double ceiling height gives the room adequate light and the illusion of more space. The integration of open public spaces and services promote social interaction. Le Corbusier’s apartment complex excels in finding the right balance between public and private life-to be able to build a community as an extension of the home.

Le Corbusier's drawing of L'unite D'habitation: shows interior double height (2)

-Natalie Hui

Image Sources:

1. "L'Unité D'Habitation." http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartmichaeldavis/1294949977/ (accessed Jan 10, 2010).

2. "en ville." http://blog.pressebook.fr/giulio/2009/01/23/contre-larchitecture/ (accessed Jan 10, 2010).

Information Sources:

Janson,Alban. Le Corbusier Unite d'habitation, Marseille. Axel Menges. Stuggart/ London: Everbest Printing Company Ltd., 2007.

Sbriglio, Jacques. "Unite d'Habitation le Corbusier Marseilles." http://www.marseille- citeradieuse.org/chap1/immeuble1- 2.htm (accessed 10 January 2010).

Sbriglio,Jacques. L'Unite d'habitation de Marseille. Birkhauser Publishers Basel, 2004.