BSV07106 Introduction to Modern Architecture Unite D`Habitation A mass housing solution?

? Corbusier`s answer to the post war housing shortage was the Unite D`Habitation, the vertical city within a single building. There were five Unite structures built, some worked more successfully as social housing solutions than others. Did these buildings inspire architects around Europe to build large blocks of flats as a solution to overcrowding, and if so is Corbusier to blame for their eventual failure where it occurred? What is the Unite d Habitation? Corbusier came up with the idea of the Unite D`Habitation, which means housing unit or housing unity in French, as a solution to the post war shortage for housing. His vision was to merge industrial mass production with construction and yet still produce something which provided the essential joys of light, space and greenery (WJR Curtis 2002). The first Unite D`Habitation to be constructed was known as the cite radieuse, the radiant city, built in Marseilles in 1947-52. The building houses 337 apartments across twelve stories and incorporated Corbusier`s five points of modern architecture (Wikipedia). It was constructed using concrete, due to the shortage of steel which Corbusier originally intended to use, roughly cast on site by a large group of mixed skill contractors. Due to the mix of different workers it was difficult to achieve a smooth finish on the building so Corbusier used this to his advantage and instead opted for a rough finish leaving the fingerprint of the wooden formwork in the concrete, which gave rise to the brutalist movement, the beton brut brutal concrete. (WJR Curtis) Each single apartment, which was spread across two floors, provided an ample and spacious living area with double height living room and an external balcony to provide access to the views across Marseilles. Each apartment in the complex neatly fitted together in a jigsaw like fashion to form the whole building, and each double height portion stood above a neighbouring single height portion. (GH Baker) To make the building a fully functional city, Corbusier came up with the idea of incorporating a main street in the centre of the building stretching from one side to the other providing a community like setting which incorporated shops, sporting facilities, medical facilities, educational facilities and a hotel. In this he was inspired by the design of ships he had been studying. (WJR Curtis)

Robert Mason Module Leader

BSV07106 Introduction to Modern Architecture What influence did it have in post war redevelopment? Corbusier`s utopian concept was subject to considerable copycat buildings cropping up across Europe using the same theories. Unfortunately, it seems most sources agree that the principles behind what Corbusier was trying to achieve were somewhat diluted in the process. Many architects abandoned the double aspect of the flats instead opting for the economy housing that was demanded from their clients. Many more simply disregarded Corbusier`s careful proportional scale of modular and golden section ratio and designed buildings to the wrong scale missing Corbusier`s essential ingredient. Did it work as a solution? Trellick Tower designed by Erno Goldfinger was one example of a successful clone of the unite principles. It was completed in 1972, commissioned by the Greater London Council. After crime became a major issue for residents and around the same time that the right to buy council houses was introduced, a new residents association was formed according to Wikipedia. After several security elements were introduced to the building, prices rose and the building became a desirable place to live. In 1998 the building was awarded a grade II listing and continues to be in demand today. Were all copies successful? Park Hill Estate in Sheffield is one of the less successful example of how Corbusier`s designs have been copied. Its failure to inspire the local population has led to its deterioration and until recently many of the flats have remained empty. That is until a new developer stepped in and has taken over with the intention of converting it into upmarket apartments and business units. The project is currently in progress. Was Corbusier to blame? Corbusier`s design was sound enough in principle, but I don`t think it was replicated with enough authenticity around Europe and as a result many of the features of the accommodation were watered down to reduce costs. The result of this led to widespread dissatisfaction with the housing and many people now regard high rise accommodation as being substandard, such is the widespread dilution of the original design. Conclusion Does the Unite work as affordable housing? Well I think it does, but that depends on how cheap you make it. If you pack standard British designed houses into a large box and stack them together, it can easily fail. However using Corbusier`s original ideas of double aspect living space with access to outdoors and plenty of natural light, then this solution can really work as a beautiful place to live.

Robert Mason Module Leader

BSV07106 Introduction to Modern Architecture Bibliography Modern Architecture Since 1900, 3rd edition, WJR Curtis, Phaidon, London, 2002 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Corbusier [accessed 27/4/9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit%C3%A9_d'Habitation [accessed 26/4/9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9ton_brut [accessed 26/4/9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Hill,_Sheffield [accessed 30/4/9] http://www.marseille-citeradieuse.org/ [accessed 26/4/9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower [accessed 30/4/9] http://www.open2.net/modernity/3_14.htm [accessed 30/4/9]

References. Modern Architecture Since 1900, 3rd edition, WJR Curtis, Phaidon, London, 2002 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit%C3%A9_d'Habitation [accessed 26/4/9] Le Corbusier An analysis of form, 3rd Edition, GH Baker, Spon Press, London 1996 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower [accessed 30/4/9]

Robert Mason Module Leader