Le Corbusiers Paintings and Buildings - Term Paper Example

Le Corbusier’s Paintings and Buildings by Student’s Name Code + Course Name Professor University City/State Date Abstract Le Corbusier used many forms in his works, but, in this case, transparency is the subject o discussion. His paintings, as well as buildings, clearly show an aspect of transparency. There are several factors determining whether a painting or building is transparent, and this is what the paper will focus on. The paper will mainly deal with one building and one painting by Corbusier. A thorough analysis of these will help in identifying all the things that indicate transparency in them. Corbusier also came up with a design that advocated for transparency, and which was used to build many houses during the twentieth century. Therefore, analyzing his works and paintings will help us in understanding the transparency concept in architecture. It is also important to note that Corbusier used transparency in almost all his buildings. Additionally, transparency is also present in most of the paintings by Corbusier. Therefore, one can say that Corbusier concentrated much on the transparency of his works. Compare one of Le Corbusier’s paintings with one of his Buildings in Terms of Transparency Le Corbusier despite being famous was among the most influential architects of his time. He first started by sketching premises but later on pursued all of his ideas refining them in writing. He then applied his ideas in practice. From his texts, one can clearly see that there is a connection in particular pigments and some colors. Many great works of Le Corbusier bring out the idea of transparency. Many things characterize transparency in architecture. These include the use of open as well as translucent materials, which is also referred to as the confluence of meaning. Transparency is one of the most used forms in the twentieth century. Transparency is much used in architecture, and it sometimes means using glass as the parent material while building. Additionally, other materials used in building are also transparent. On the other hand, transparency in architecture can also mean making the spaces in the exterior and the inside of a building continuous. Art and architecture are two things that work together. Architectures use designs to come up with buildings, but most architecture are not artists. However, some architectures are excellent artists and design whatever they build. The connection between art and architecture is seen as architects can explain all the developments by just looking at a painting. A new dimension was introduced in Cubism, which was considered as the time dimension. This size is achieved by a new transparency that is done by the interpenetration of space. The above was achieved by use of technology as well as material that were more modern. Simultaneity is another aspect of transparency, and this can be seen in most paintings done by Corbusier. Simultaneity means one being able to see various aspects making up an object without having to move around. On the other hand, movement means that one for one to understand the various aspects of an object they have to move around it in a slow manner. Simultaneity is much evident in most paintings by Corbusier. There were five points that Corbusier came up with, which later spearheaded the beginning of the modernist architectural movement. The five points that Corbusier came up with dictated an approach that never existed in the building of domestic houses. The design had much freedom, which allowed much light as well as air to enter the buildings. The design also allowed the freedom to have enough spaces while at the same time creating openings that were not to be interrupted. Most buildings build using the five points showed transparency in different aspects. I will consider the Willow House, and which was built using Corbusier style. Transparency is the first thing that one notices when looking at the Willow House. A grid made of reinforced concrete columns instead of supporting walls supports the walls of the house. These are referred to as the Pilotis, and they are used as they offer increased space in the opening. In transparency, space is put into consideration and, therefore, this is evident in the Slash House. The building is raised from the ground creating some space below it as proposed in the new design plan by Corbusier (Arsenault 2015 Par. 1-2). The ground plan of the house is made of free design achieved by eliminating constraints of the supporting walls inside the house. This makes the interior be open and therefore not restrained in its usage. According to Corbusier, a flow of space was one of the major characteristics of modern architecture. Therefore, the best designs did not divide all the space but rather left some space undivided. It is also one aspect of transparency in the design and is much evident in the Willow House. The house is built on a hilly area and, therefore, takes advantage of this to use the open building plan (Arsenault 2015 par. 3). Transparency in architecture also allows the façade to be made of free design. The above is also evident in the Willow House as the separation between the building’s exterior, and its structural function gives space for the façade to free up. Additionally, the house has horizontal windows in all the rooms (Arsenault 2015, par 4). As earlier stated, transparency in architecture puts more emphasis on space and the amount of light entering a building. In this case, the windows extend across the length of the façade allowing all the rooms to receive the same amount of light from outside. Additionally, the horizontal windows allow one to view the surrounding very well. The Willow House also has a roof garden as its roof is flat, which also increases how one perceives the environment surrounding the house. The garden on the rooftop also offsets all the constrictions brought about by the densely populated area where the house is located (Arsenault 2015, par 5-6). Transparency in drawing can be defined as showing all the sides of whatever one is drawing on paper. Transparency is also seen in some of the paintings done by Le Corbusier. Before incorporating his ideas into action, he used to draw structures, and at the same time include transparency in them. Corbusier mostly used color to bring out and make transparency clear in his paintings. The effects color had were considered o be physiological, emotional and associative were all said to be psychological. The use of color had specific functions that include enhancing the depth and used to in the creation among other several functions. Colors from particular groups and which were separated based on their pigments were assigned specific functions. The color concept used by Corbusier relied on three things. The first one is natural pigments that were constructive were used to bring a pleasing atmosphere that altered the space perception. On the other hand, synthetic pigments were used to create an emotional effect that was more contrasting. Lastly, the use of synthetic pigments that was more transparent was for the purpose of altering surfaces without having any effect on the perception of volume.Corbusier used constructive colors to create warmth and light in the atmosphere. The colors were used on bare walls to bring the effect without affecting the volume. Dark natural pigments were used to make spatial effects more visible. For instance, one wall would be painted white to make it more visible while the other wall would be painted gray making it attract less attention that the one painted white. Color also has an effect on space and therefore architects put this into consideration while building rather than using what is on the painting. Space is an essential component in transparency, and this is observed in most paintings done by Corbusier. For instance, blue is considered to create space while red is believed to fix the walls presence. It was important for architects to put this into consideration in their works. Color also decorated the surface, and this is one of its transitional functions.Despite being an architect, Corbusier was a painter, and this gave his a better advantage when he was designing a building. Transparency was evident in most of his paintings, some of which were used to build houses. A good example is seen in his art of the Villa Savoye, where transparency is not only evident on the faced but also on the plans of the floor and the sections. The Villa Savoye was built according to the painting done by Corbusier. The painting had transparency in it in terms of space among other factors considered in transparency. From the painting, the house has a reinforced concrete and which is the pilotis in the new architecture that Corbusier designed. By keenly looking at painting, one can see that the roof is flat. After the Villa had been completed, the flat roof was used as a home garden as seen in many of the domestic houses designed by Corbusier. The horizontal windows of the building are also evident in the painting. Transparency advocates for more things that are visible and light. The horizontal windows were to allow more light into the rooms as well as enhance how a person views the surrounding environment. It is also possible to run the windows across the façade as shown in the painting he did before the building of the house (Galinsky 2015). The interior of the building has several things that are of interest to us as they evidently show the transparency in the building. The walls of the entrance hall to the building are painted white, and comprise of glass too, and this is where visitors pass as they enter the house. Four columns direct people to the ramp that is visible from any part of the house. The stairs are circular winding their way up the house through the core of the building. The Villa is not built from the ground but is lifted up into the air by fifteen pillars each of the same radius and height. Although he did not color his paintings, the choice of colors he used in the building is a beautiful choice. As earlier stated, transparency is not only about using glass as the parent material, but also using other materials that can enhance transparency. In the case of the Villa Savoye, Corbusier used light skins for the walls, and the façade is free. Space is also an important component of transparency, and this is evident in the Villa Savoye from its painting. The solarium is at the house top and gives a clear view of the house itself as well as all that surrounds it. One has to use the spiral stairs while going down the house from the solarium (Galinsky 2015). Another important transparency aspect of the house that is visible from its painting is the garage. The garage is made very spacious and can hold up to three cars. Te garage is laid down at an angle forty-five degrees, which is the same as the turning circle a car makes while turning. The living room of the house very spacious as seen from its design as it has an area of 86m2. The living room also has vast glazing panels that open up to the garden. Additionally, layering as well as stratification is evident in the paintings and works of Corbusier. He also allowed his paintings to have a continuous space, and these were evident in the house built using his design (Galinsky 2015). It is, therefore, true to say that Corbusier despite being a great artist and architect was very talented. As we have seen, most of his works, both paintings and buildings bring out the aspect of transparency. In his years as an architect, he came up with the design that was later on used by other designers and is used until today. His ideas were well and produced unique buildings when put into action. Transparency is one major aspect that one notices in his works. The way Corbusier presents transparency in his paintings and buildings is very interesting. He brings them out in a way that one cannot think about. He uses color among other factors to present transparency in his work. As seen, transparency is not only presented in one way but is a combination of several things. Most buildings designed by Corbusier show the transparency aspect. Therefore, through comparing one of his buildings and one of his paintings, we have been able to see that he uses transparency in both. Additionally, the way he presents this is not complicated as one can see it by just looking at the building or painting. References Architecturality, 2011, Transparency II: Layering of Planes/Layering of Spaces, [online] Available at: https://architecturality.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/transparency-ii-layering-of-planeslayering-of-spaces/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015]. Arsenault, H 2015, 5-buildings-that-embody-le-corbusiers-five-points, [online] Available at: http://architizer.com/blog/5-buildings-that-embody-le-corbusiers-five-points/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015]. Galinsky.com 2015, Villa Savoye Poissy by Le Corbusier, [online] Available at: http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/savoye/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015]. Read More