Illustrated Perspectives

Table/Seating Area in Petit Cabanon

Coloured Rood Panels in Petit Cabanon

Posted by: Amal Dirie

Relation Between Interior and Exterior

The interior of the Petit Cabanon has a very natural flow to the outside. Le Corbusier placed windows very thoughtfully throughout the cabin to provide desired views of the exterior. He further augmented the views by placing mirrored shutters in windows to reflect the exterior view to the interior. He placed windows to provide view towards the sea, towards the vegetation, and towards the mineral landscape.  

Petit Cabanon did not have a kitchen. It was built right beside the restaurant l’Etoile de Mer and this is where Le Corbusier had his meals. The cabin did not have a shower either. Le Corbusier used a shower outside the cabin. Built not far from the cabin was Corbusier’s studio atelier.

Recent photograph of l'Etoile de Mer restaurant beside Petit Cabanon.

Posted by: Nadia Shahed

Unite D'Habitation Firminy-Vert

The final Unite D'Habitation, Firminy-Vert, is located in the region of Loire, France. It was completed in 1968, after Le Corbusier's death. It's hilltop location makes for great views from every unit, similarly to Petit Cabanon. 

All of the Unite D'Habitations posses some form of a connection to nature, as well as a focus on creating views. In this way, the influence of Petit Cabanon is evident in Le Corbuser's later works. 

Posted by: Meghan Robidoux and Jason McMillan

Unite D'Habitation Briey-En-Foret

Unite D'Habitation Briey-En-Foret, the fourth structure, was completed in 1959. It is located directly in the forest. 

Children's bedrooms divided by sliding wall. 

Posted by: Meghan Robidoux and Jason McMillan

Unite D'Habitation Berlin

The third Unite D'Habitation was completed in Berlin, Germany in 1958. Although it resides in the city, it has great views of the forest, allowing Le Corbusier's work to maintain a connection to the natural world. 

Posted by: Meghan Robidoux and Jason McMillan 

Unite D'Habitation Nantes-Reze

The second of the Unite D'Habitation's, Nantes-Reze, was completed in 1953. It's countryside location is what makes it most different from the other Unites. It's also what makes it most similar to Petit Cabanon. 

Children playing by pond which runs beneath the structure. 

Posted by: Meghan Robidoux and Jason McMillan

Compostion

Corbusier used his modular system to define the dimensions of le cabanon, but he also
used it to define the programmatic areas in the house. Sleeping, reading and working are all
defined by golden rectangles.

Le Corbusier also used his modular and the golden ratio when defining circulation through le cabanon.

Drawn and posted by: Jason McMillan

Illustrated Elevations

East Elevation

South Elevation

Posted by: Amal Dirie

Project Comparisons: Plans

By analyzing simple diagrams drawn from the plans of some of Le Corbusier's other works, we can see the relation between Petit Cabanon and some of these other modular/simple spaces. In all these works, a minimalistic style of living can be observed. They also display an open living program with minimum use of doors. Placement of the bed in relation to the doorway and the closet can be noted as a similarity as well.

Comparison between the plans of Le Corbusier's projects in relation to Petit Cabanon.

Posted by: Nadia Shahed

Project Comparison: Interiors

Below are simplified diagrams showing the similarities between the interiors of Petit Cabanon, Unité D'Habitation, and the munk cells in La Tourette. Although Petit Cabanon is a little wider than the other two rooms in the diagram, the placement of the closet and the beds are similar in all three of the rooms. The placement of these furnishings in relation to the doorway are also very similar.

Interior perspective sketches depicting similarities in the placement of furnishings. 

Posted by: Nadia Shahed

Project Comparison: Windows and Views

By drawing out a series of diagrams depicting the placement of the windows in these various designs by Le Corbusier, we began to explore the evolution of the windows in Le Corbusier’s work. In addition we also looked at the SS Normandie and Graf Zepplin, ocean liner and  aircraft, frequently travelled in by Corbusier. Both had profound effect on some of Le Corbusier’s later works, particularly on Petit Cabanon.  

Window types and views in Le Corbusier's works

While studying documentation of these windows, we noticed that a place to sit close to the window commonly exists. This can be seen in Petit Cabanon as well. 

Petit Cabanon

 Zepplin

 Unite D'Habitation

La Tourette

Petit Maison

Petit Maison

Posted by: Nadia Shahed