Unité D'Habitation Marseille

The first of the Unite D'Habitations, in Marseille, France, was constructed during the same period as Petit Cabanon, 1947-1952. 

 Unite D'Habitation Plan

Unite D'Habitation Marseille

Roof top view from Unite D'Habitation Marseille

The bedrooms are ideally long and narrow, separated by a slight wooden wall that extends outwards revealing a black board that can be used for the purpose of writing. Le Corbusier created a creative separation, maximizing the use of the space rather then the size of the space itself.

 "The only possible atmosphere in which to carry on creative work is one in which these qualities prevail: regularity, modesty, continuity, perseverance." - Le Corbusier, 1965

In actuality Unité d'Habitation possesses all those qualities. Also the arrangement of the furniture, especially the use of wood furniture and design is quite similar to that of Le Cabanon. It follows the idea of being surrounding by necessity and utilizing space in a way to emphasizes its function rather then its size.

Bedrooms

Posted by: Amal Dirie
Added to by: Meghan Robidoux 

Ocean Liners as Inspiration for Unite D'Habitation

Unité D’Habitation is a social housing block designed by Le Corbusier in 1952. After the World War II, France had a serious shortage in housing; Unité d’Habitation was built in response to the shortage. The complex was a first of its kind: a tower block for 1600 people. The Unité was a twelve storey building with shops, supermarkets, restaurants, nurseries, a cinema, barbers and a roof terrace built in it. Corbusier was chiefly influenced by an ocean liner in his design for the Unité as well as in his suceeding works. “The Steamship is the first stage in the realization of a world organized according to the new spirit”-Le Corbusier. 

Le Corbusier translated his fascination for ocean liners into his design. Lutétia, the Patris II, and the Normandie were some of the ocean liners that Le Corbusier frequently travelled in. Normandie had profound impact on Corbusier and his designs. His influence from ocean liners can also be seen reflected in Petit Cabanon.

Interiors of Normandie:

Sketch by Le Corbusier demonstrating ocean liner as source of inspiration. 

Opened by: Nadia Shahed

Added to by: Jason McMillan

The Modulor System

• Developed in 1951 and first applied in Unite D'Habitation 
• A working tool for those who create, not for those who execute 
• Unites the two systems of measurement, metric and imperial
• "The 'Modulor' is a working tool, a scale to be used in composition... for the mass production of manufactured articles, and also for the creation, through unity, of great symphonic works of architecture"  -Le Corbusier
• Original numerations:

Red Series: (based on figures navel height)

164.9mm, 266.8mm, 431.7mm, etc. 

Blue Series: (based on figures entire height) 

203.8mm, 329.8mm, 533.6mm, etc. 

Internal role: to bring harmony to the work

External role: to unite, harmonize, mutually adapt the work of men which is now in a state of disunity

Posted by: Meghan Robidoux