Le Corbusiers LC4 Chaise Longue - Case Study Example

Your name Subject Date of submission Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue LC4 Chaise Longue which was designed in the 1928 by Le Corbusier speaks volume on the ideals of the Modern Movement. Described as the long chair, the LC4 Chaise Longue has mirrors which been experienced as a relaxing design chair because of its natural curves. One can sit in various sitting angles because of its moveable and flexible frame which can be adjusted on its base. This can be either upright, downwards and even to full recline. It’s an all leather product with canvas and chocolate headrest and footer. This presents it as a beautiful work of design as its made with precision and detail. Le Corbusier as one of the pioneers of the modern movement established his reputation in engineering the Modernism in the 1920s. Le Corbusier who was born in 1887 contributed much to what is today referred to as modernism. He was mainly concerned with providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. His designs enabled people to live comfortably and gave them an experience to upgrade their living conditions. The ideals of the Modern Movement were to be able to comprehend and cater for the changing social dynamics both at the family level and at the community at large. Though modernism has got various definitions, it simply means modern thoughts and characters put into practice. The modernist movement in arts and cultural movements arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was after shaped by the development of industrial societies which led to the rapid growth of cities. In addition, the World War I is among the factors that gave rise to the Modernism. Though modernism gained popularity after the Second World War, the modernist planning was established and implemented with a sole purpose of offering a solution to the past failures of design to meet the basic social needs (John G. 2008).In the 1930’s, more than 15% of the urban population was living in abject poverty. Mainly in slum dwellings and removing them from slums was seen as a great problem. This was one of the modernisms planning which was aimed at housing the urban poor and also making most designers view designing as a tool for making the world better. It became popular as the modern architects worked tirelessly in an effort to solve the design problems through the creation of urban utopias. According to Penny Sparke (2009), argues that the Chaise Longue embodies the ideals of the Modern Movement. As one of the modernism principle, the modernist believed that design should be made for a better world and that all forms of designs should made simple and beautiful in order to discourage designs that are more ornament than is necessary to the tool function. Modernists like Le Corbusier believe that ornament should follow the structure and purpose of the designed tool. This is the reason why the family life and social interaction was at the center of the modernist dream for a planned modernism. How successful the chaise has been in promoting Modernism’s ideals Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue has been successful in promoting the modernism ideals. The lounge versions has been developed based mainly on the original drawings from 1928-30 and modernism has been promoted in every version (Anne B. 2004). This is evident when viewing Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue materials which are chromed tubular steel frame; the black lacquered steel base; polyurethane foam pad with headrest and full-grain. The Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue has been made in semi-aniline-dyed leather, the natural cowhide and the canvas upholstery. . Picture1: Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue The fascinating materials has made the Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue to provide resistance to water, heat and humidity and as an outdoor piece of art, this enables it to be able to withstand the extreme conditions which can be experienced in open-air places. In addition its structures which are mainly stainless steel and the iron-based alloy combines corrosion resistance as they provide typical mechanical properties of steels to the Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue (Le Corbusier Chair ,2012). It is composed of internal parts of welded Tungsten Inert Gas abbreviated as (TIG) and this also gives it beauty as the visible part is welded with silver which creates yellowish halos typical of this type of process. The steel is well brushed in order to get an effect which with likeness to similar to chrome plating. In addition to the above eye catching ornamental features, Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue pride itself in having the water draining polyurethane and draining padding which comes in natural organic fiber. For its extreme use, the Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue has upholstery fabrics for cushions which offer color fastness over time and maximum optimum resistance to grease. The materials are easy to maintain as they can be cleaned with just cloth, water, with little mild soap, and gentle brushing. The materials and fabrics used give a guarantee of five years from the purchase date of the product and this makes it have durability. As a tool for shaping society, Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue is one of the designs that has captured and captivated many eyes. Its design inspired simplicity one of the ideals of the modern movement that aimed at changing social dynamics in people’s lives. This piece of art as illustrated above consists of tubular chrome frame and the painted steel which makes the structure to enable various adjustability. The chair can balance in nay position that the person sitting on it will to. This gives extra relation to the person sitting on it as he or she is able to self-balance in every possible position. The user just requires moving it along to find the desired position. Family life and social interaction formed the center of the modernist dreams for a better planned environment. The modern movement was much interested in simplicity of life and Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue as a design tool offered just that. List of reference Anne Bony, (2004) Furniture and interiors of the 1960s, London: Flammarion John Goodman (2008). Toward An Architecture. Paris: frances lincoln ltd Penny Sparke (2009), The LC4 Chaise Longue, in Candlin & Guins, The Object Reader, 2009, pp.480-482. Le Corbusier Chair (2012): The Classic 20th Century Chairs. Available from http://www.corbusierchair.org/Chaise-Lounge.html Read More