There are many connections that can be made between Le Corbusier's Le Cabanon and the Monastery of St. Gall. Based upon initial discussions, topics that should be explored in order to create an interesting narrative of these two buildings are as follows.
1. Function. The uses of Le Cabanon and the Monastery of St. Gall are very similar. They are both elemental structures in which a person can complete the tasks of their everyday lives. There is a specific set of "rules" that govern how both spaces will function. These "rules" cannot be changed.
2. Modular design. Le Corbusier believed in making buildings around the concept of the "modular." That is to say, creating buildings out of smaller areas known as "modules". Le Cabanon was a single module that made up Le Corbusier's home. The Monastery of St. Gall is a community, built entirely of module structures.
3. Community Vs. Isolation. Le Cabanon was a study done by Le Corbusier into the ability to separate oneself from the community. It showed the ability to separate oneself in a growing urbanity. The Monastery of St. Gall is a study into separating a community from the world.
4. Simple life. Le Cabanon is Le Corbuiser's study into the essential elements of life. He was looking at the ability of a person to live with the absolute essentials of what they need to live well. Monastic life, at the time the plan of St. Gall was drawn, was all about living well. Monks who lived by the Benedictine Rule lived well the only the essentials of life.
-Kate Black-
Information Sources:
Canaelli, Fluorence. "Le Cabanon de Corbu: une lecon d'architecture."http://membres.multimania.fr/floreportages/corbu/Corbu.html (accessed Jan, 07, 2010).
"The Plan of St. Gall." 1983.http://www.stgallplan.org/en/index.html (accessed Jan, 07, 2010).
This was my favourite part:
ReplyDelete"Sun, sea, space, greenery, love."
You've made some incredibly thoughtful observations about the cabanon ( I especially enjoyed the potential in the description of the front door's key hole). Be equally rigorous with your attitude toward St.Gall... find things that you "delight" in ...they seem to have more potential than the general overview points.
ReplyDeleteStart grouping your findings into an "outline" that your teammates can add to and juggle about...this might help you see connections and patterns between the projects more clearly.
Corb was Hindu?
ReplyDeleteCheck out Corb's education - back when he had a real name. He grew up in a "watch making town". He went to art school because they thought he'd made a good engraver. His father was president of the local mountaineering society. All of his early shit was trees.
He was a huge fan of Ruskin (Stones of Venice) and didn't turn to his classical period until after he'd been to Athens, Rome, and Istanbul. His education might really be relevant to the case you are making.
Thanks Diya and Sean.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to bring these points up tomorrow and post a more concise version of our research with better ties later in the afternoon for your perusal.
But to answer your question, no Corb was not Hindu, but on a trip to India became very interested in the Hindu Dieties (diaties? (Gods)). In particular, the female Goddess represented in the Hindu faith.
In his Cabanon, Corb painted a picture of a Hindu Goddess on the back of the window shutters of the window in front of his desk. This means that when he was working, he would shut the windows so he could not see the view, but instead was looking at a Hindu "Goddess".
I am still unsure as to which Goddess it is, but one of my group members may know or I may come across it in future research on this project.