I managed to get a few hours"hugging" the Marsellie unite d'habitation by le corbusier this week . It's influence on Art; science ,engineering and architecture on many generations is remarkable . In the era when we are also looking hard at the way we live and the role concrete of the future might play or might not play ? was on my mind . #architecture #collective #future #concrete
One of my all time favourite buildings. A masterpiece. Art, logic and fun. A great place to be.
There’s no denying that it was a massive influence on social housing schemes - both good and bad - throughout the 20th Century. The keenest lesson to be learned though, is that mass housing like this cannot be done ‘on the cheap’ as it was so often delivered in the UK. Nearly all of the cut-price Corb copies failed within 20years and were demolished! Personally, I’d cite something like the Byker Wall development as a more successful and long lasting attempt at an inclusive social housing model - Co-designed by residents and Architect alike, and offering a mix of densities and property types to suit different housing needs.
A beautiful structure, very inspirational indeed. That said, when I visited this summer I was pretty dismayed by the state of much of the concrete surface. There is widespread damage in load-bearing elements, spalled cover and corroding reinforcement in many places. I hope the owners take care of the building's conservation, it is a World Heritage site after all!
More concrete please, rebar cover to be consistently compliant…
Amin Moazzen
1y
I am in love with this design 😍😍
Simon Lewis
1y
unaware of it - but looks stunning
Simon Parham
1y
Definitely worth a visit
Managing Director at Knight Architects
1yInspirational images, Hanif! This building is a great example of an inquiry into ways of living, not an aesthetic, per se. For us designers it is important not to demonise concrete (or equally to worship timber) without thinking much more deeply, as its use remains vital in many aspects of construction necessary for society, climate resilience, energy generation etc. The excellent work by Seratech Ltd supported by AKT II is an example of innovative thinking, as is the exploration of 'urban mining' of demolition materials.