Le Corbusier and Modernism - Essay Example

Architecture and Modernism Modern architecture history has the replete of several examples that include the grand visions, which architects enact and have the impacts of alienating and attaining ineffective environments. For example, considering Brasilia as a unitary city, it is evident of desolate spaces as illustrated in the documentary of “Urbanized” by Gary Hustwit’s (Fishman 231). In most cases, architects fail to conduct post-occupancy evaluations and assessments on the structures because of their desire to avoid sullying themselves with problems that these buildings bring to everyday life.

Le Corbusier coined the modernism of architecture in Europe by introducing a utopian vision for the current society only to experience different opinions from residents of his buildings. Urbanism is a key strategy, which Le Corbusier adopted in the process of supporting modern architecture. For example, when the French was unable to handle the issue of the increase in the number of Parisian slums, Le Corbusier focused on developing effective ways of housing several people as a key response strategy towards increase in the urban housing crisis (Vrahimis 75).

His believe was that the modern architectural forms would contribute in providing quality life for the lower class individuals in society. The 1922 Immeubles Villas depicts one of his structures, which had several large blocks stack in a cell-like manner for individual apartments in plans of a kitchen, bedrooms, living room and garden terrace (Betsky 95). Le Corbusier also focused on urbanizing the entire cities with modern architectural forms, which transformed the societies into higher economic levels while enjoying high standards and efficient environments.

During the industrialization process, Le Corbusier contributed scholarly by advocating for modernization of the society. This was in the journal L’Esprit Nouveau where Le Corbusier claims that there was a need to have a social transformation, which would ensure that the environment in society was efficient. He claimed that transformation would overcome the revolution spectre, which would contribute in the attainment of a shake society (Evenson 7). However, Le Corbusier has received several criticisms on his idea for modernity in architecture.

Such are based on the variance of the architectural values and the associated aspects, which create differences in modern architecture. Some critics, such as Lewis Mumford argued that skyscrapers that were the work of Le Corbusier existed because of technological possibilities, but not any other reason. In spite of this, Le Corbusier is considered as the pioneer of the modernism in the field of architecture. It is the reformations, which Le Corbusier advocated for in the housing strategies, which enabled the government to address the issue of urbanization effectively.

Thus, governments would borrow from the architectural work of Le Corbusier to initiate state house constructions with respect to modernism (Resende 74). These include the requirements for building flats and strategies of ensuring that the building zones are effective and suitable. Further, individuals focused on utilizing several styles and architectural designs in the process of ensuring that modernism occurs with respect to the proposed strategies by Le Corbusier. These include the designs, styles and materials, which are used in the entire process of constructing buildings.

Works CitedBetsky, Aaron. "Limbo Architecture: Painters of Modernism." Architectural Review 235.1407(2014): 90-101. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.Evenson, Norma. Le Corbusier: The Machine and the Grand Design. New York: GeorgeBraziller, 1969. Print.Fishman, Robert. Urban Utopias in the Twentieth Century: Ebenezer Howard, Frank LloydWright, and Le Corbusier. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1982. Print.Resende, Beatriz. "Río De Janeiro Y Otros Modernismos. (Spanish)." Cuadernos De Literatura18.35 (2014): 73-85.

Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.Vrahimis, Andreas. "Modernism and the Vienna Circles Critique of Heidegger." CriticalQuarterly 54.3 (2012): 61-83. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.