50 Years On: The Life and Legacy of Le Corbusier

Paul Keskeys

Few architects have had as great an influence on the design of our built environment over the last half a century than Le Corbusier, so it is unsurprising that the modernist’s work is still being celebrated today, 50 years on from his death. This new interactive map from infographic magicians Timescape provides a comprehensive overview of the Swiss master’s work across the globe, telling the story behind some of the greatest architectural icons of the 20th century:

Looking around our cities in the present day, it is not difficult to see that Le Corbusier’s ideals are alive and well: a plethora of contemporary projects channel the spirit of one of architecture’s most omnipotent figures. To mark the anniversary of his death in 1965 at the age of 77, explore some of the most recent iterations of Corb’s modernist concepts, and be sure to click the links for more information and images over on the burgeoning Architizer database.

From March 2014:Making a Minimalist Treehouse à la Le Corbusier

In spring last year, James Bartolacci waxed lyrical about the Garden Pavilion by Oliv Brunner Volk Architekten, a pavilion that evokes the distinctive silhouette of Corb’s iconic residence, the Villa Savoye. Located in Switzerland, the two-story dwelling echoes its predecessor’s bold cantilevered upper floor combined with a dark exterior that reflects the bark of surrounding trees.

From September 2014: 5 Contemporary Buildings That Embody Le Corbusier’s Five Points

A year ago, we paid homage to Le Corbusier’s pioneering Five Points of a New Architecture, a manifesto of modernist principles that still hold true for many architects today. Contemporary examples inspired by Corb’s words include House D by PAUHOF Architekten, Willow House by Guz Architects, and the stunning House Meijer by Van der Jeugd Architecten, pictured above.

From July 2015: Savoye, the Sequel – A Chilean Ode to Concrete and Le Corbusier

Another tribute to Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, the Mirador House by Gubbins Arquitectos adorns a spectacular cliff-edge site on the remote western coastline of Chile. The textured concrete walls form a rustic reimagining of the 1931 classic, providing jaw-dropping views and open-plan living spaces that Corb himself would surely have been proud of.