Post-War Housing Crisis
Following World War II, Europe faced an urgent housing crisis. In 1947, Le Corbusier was commissioned to design a large-scale residential project in Marseille to address the needs of those displaced by the war. The result was the Unité d’Habitation, completed in 1952, marking Le Corbusier’s first major venture into high-density housing.
The Vertical Garden City Concept
The project introduced the concept of a “vertical garden city,” a mixed-use modernist structure that combined private apartments with shared spaces for shopping, recreation, and community activities. Housing 1,600 residents across 18 floors, the building featured innovative spatial organization, including rooftop communal spaces such as a running track, kindergarten, gym, and pool. Additional amenities, including shops, medical facilities, and a small hotel, created a self-sustaining “city within a city.”
Constructed with béton-brut concrete, a cost-effective choice for post-war Europe, the material reflects the era’s harsh realities while departing from Le Corbusier’s usual stark white facades. Mechanistic influences are evident in its design, with massive pilotis elevating the structure, ribbon windows mimicking ship cabins, and the rooftop elements resembling a steamship deck.
Le Corbusier’s approach to residential units was equally innovative. He rejected the conventional double-stacked corridor layout, opting instead for interlocking duplex apartments spanning the building’s width. These units included double-height living spaces and brise-soleil balconies, ensuring cross-ventilation and maximizing natural light.
The Modulor
A Human-Centered System of Proportions
Le Corbusier’s Modulor was developed as a system of proportions based on the human body, blending mathematical precision with the aesthetics of the Golden Ratio. While it started as a measuring tool to create functional and harmonious spaces, it evolved into a recognizable symbol and a defining signature of his architectural philosophy.
The Modulor was initially based on the average European male height of 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches). Le Corbusier later adjusted it to 1.83 meters (6 feet) to reflect the average height of British and American men, which broadened its global applicability while maintaining its focus on human-centered design.
An Architectural Icon
In projects like the Cité Radieuse, the Modulor became more than just a guide for dimensions; it shaped every aspect of the design, from the layout of apartments to the scale of communal spaces. The consistent use of these human-centered proportions became a hallmark of Le Corbusier’s work, symbolizing his commitment to creating environments that resonated with the natural movements and needs of people.
Over time, the Modulor became closely associated with Le Corbusier’s vision of modern architecture—an integration of form, function, and humanism—establishing its status as not only a practical tool but also a powerful and recognizable signature in his designs. The Modulor has become so iconic that people now visit Cité Radieuse to take photos and selfies with its symbol, further reinforcing its place in architectural history and popular culture.
Photography by Egyptian architectural and documentary photographers Georges & Samuel (The GS Studio)
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