School of Architecture, Building and Design

Bachelor of Science (Honours)(Architecture)

Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC2224]

Project 1

Theorizing Architecture

Part 1 Stage 1

Group Members: Christiody Lim 0304191

Nicole Lim Xu Teng 0307814

Soh You Shing 0308010

Tutor: Dr. Lakshmi Priya Rajendran

Architect: Le Corbusier

Theory: Modern Architecture Theory

Defined Area: SS15, Subang Jaya, Selangor

DescriptionSS15 is a popular and vibrant commercial and residential enclave located in Subang Jaya. It is one of the most well-known commercial centres and education hubs in Klang Valley.

The neighbourhood of SS15 comprises both commercial and residential areas. The residences are mainly 2-storey terrace houses, which were completed back in 1988. In addition, there are two medium-rise apartments, namely My Place Apartment and Pangsapuri Apartment, a high-rise serviced residence called Menara Rajawali and two high-rise office buildings such as Subang Square and First Subang. Subang Square is centrally located at the heart of SS15.

There are plenty of amenities in SS15, such as education centres, education institutions, banks, cafes and eateries. It is the internationally renowned education hub of Subang where there are several universities, colleges and private institutions which include Taylor's College, INTI University College and Alfa College, are nestled within the enclave.

Adding to that, SS15 is surrounded by many amenities. Just across the street, there is Subang Jaya City Centre (SJCC) in SS16 which comprises Carrefour Subang, Empire Subang, Subang Avenue and Subang Parade. Also, it is merely 2 km from Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Integrated Resort City. Right beside SS15, there are Subang Ria Park and Sime Darby Medical Centre (SDMC) in SS12.

SS15 is easily accessible via Federal Highway and New Pantai Expressway (NPE). Besides that, it is near to Shah Alam Highway (KESAS) and North Klang Valley Elevated (NKVE) accesses. It is just minutes away from the townships of Petaling Jaya such as Bandar Sunway, Kelana Jaya, Ara Damansara and Bandar Utama.

Photos on Site

Overview of defined area

Subang Square

First Subang

Pangsapuri Apartment

My PlaceApartment

Residential Area

Sri Kuala Lumpur School

Taylor’s College

INTI International College

Biography of Le Corbusier

Born October 6, 1887 / La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

Died August 27, 1965 (aged 77) / Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret

Le Corbusier

Menara Rajawali

Shophouses

FranceNationality Swiss/French

Work/Buildings

Villa Savoye, FranceNotre Dame du Haut, FranceBuildings in Chandigarh, India

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, who chose to be known as Le Corbusier was a Swiss-born French architect, designer, urbanist, writer and painter. He was one of the pioneers of what now is called Modern architecture or the International style.

He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in his thirties. His career spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout central Europe, India, Russia, and one each in North and South America.

He was a pioneer in studies of modern high design and was dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. Later commentators criticized Le Corbusier's plan, “Plan Voisin, France” to raze part of Paris and replace it with a grid of towers as soulless and arrogant. However, his outstanding innovations have influenced every generation of architects that followed him.

Le Corbusier adopted his pseudonym in the 1920s, allegedly deriving it in part from the name of a distant ancestor, "Lecorbésier".

He was awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal and AIA Gold Medal in 1961.

Understanding on Le Corbusier’s Theory

1. Le Corbusier insisted that all measurement, all ventilating standard, all lighting, all equipment and appliances, and all the domestic aesthetic should be the same for all latitude and all needs. In 1929, he wrote, “We must find and apply methods…lending themselves naturally to standardization, industrialization, tailorization”.

Le Corbusier believed that in order for a city environment to be made much disciplined, people should live up the standardized norms of construction.

2. One of Le Corbusier's central design theme was strict separation of societal functions. There would be separate zones for workplaces, residences, shopping and entertainment centres, monuments and government buildings. Where possible, work zones were to be further subdivided into office buildings and factories.

Le Corbusier believed that different amenities or programmes have to be zoned or separated in order to centralize resources and have them properly placed in order. Urban planning in order would promote a sense of harmony in improving people’s living condition in crowded cities.

3. Le Corbusier's doctrine required total centralization. In his cities, a centrally located core performed the "higher" functions. From its offices come the commands that put the world in order. In fact, the skyscrapers are the brain of the city, the brain of the whole country. They embody the work of elaboration and command on which all activities depend. Everything is concentrated there: the tools that conquer time and space; telephones, telegraphs, radios, the banks, trading houses, the organs of decision for the factories: finance, technology, commerce. The center does not suggest much less consult, it issues commands. The authoritarianism at work in this modernist view stems from Le Corbusier's love of the order of the factory.

Le Corbusier strongly believed his idea of centralization in an urban planning. The highlight in the centre gives strong command to the surroundings and acts as the face or image of a particular context.

4. Le Corbusier believed that at the apex of society, there should be a modern philosopher-king who applies scientific truths for the well-being of all. Naturally, the king executes his guidance through his master planner, the person who uncovers these scientific truths. In his book, “The Radiant City” (published in 1933 and republished in 1964). He explains: “I drew up plans, after analyses, after calculations, with imagination, with poetry. The plans were prodigiously true. They were incontrovertible. They were breath-taking. They expressed all the splendour of modern times."

Le Corbusier was dedicated to provide better living condition to the people of crowded cities. He strongly believed that a well-ordered environment can reunite people.

5. Le Corbusier’s Planning Principles

The salient features of principles of planning defined by Le Corbusier as studied in the earlier chapters are summarized as below:

(a) He advocated universality in city planning. His planned cities could be located anywhere, free of context, history, and traditions of the place. The environment patterns created over the time didn't matter to him, as his philosophy was to treat a City Plan as a plain piece of canvas upon which a single integrated composition could be imposed.

(b) He wished that any new city designed should be organized, serene, forceful, airy and ordered.

(c) He was a strong supporter of geometry (grid) in planning and insisted on right-angled junctions.

(d) He called for standardization of building elements such as doors, frames, roof tiles and even screws. He strongly believed that the construction standards should be similar everywhere in support of his idea of context free cities.

(e) He was for strict separation of societal functions (Zoning) and asserted definitively that the plan is the dictator of any city.

Le Corbusier had been working with elemental geometric forms his entire career as part of the basic practice. He also put strong emphasis on zoning, standardization, centralization and organized order in his planning to achieve a well-ordered environment that inspires harmony.

References

Corbusier, L. (1986). Towards a New Architecture. New York: Dover Publications.

Taylor, N. (1998). Urban Planning Theory Since 1945. London: Sage Publications.

Tony Rizzulo, C. W. (2009). Le Corbusier: Architecture, Urbanism and Theory. Marietta GA: School of Architecture, CET, and Construction, Southern Polytechnic State University.

Tungare, A. (2001). Le Corbusier’s Principles of City Planning and Their Application in Virtual Environments. Ottawa: School of Architecture, Carleton University.

Unknown. (2015, April 5). Le Corbusier "A Contemporary City". Retrieved from Macaulay Honours College: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/milsteinspring2013sandbox/files/2013/03/Le-Corbusier-from-The-City-of-Tomorrow-and-Its-Planning.pdf

Unknown. (2015, April 5). Le Corbusier Biography. Retrieved from Biography: http://www.biography.com/people/le-corbusier-9376609

Unknown. (2015, April 5). Plan Voisin, Paris, France, 1925. Retrieved from Fondation Le Corbusier: http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisObjectId=6159&sysLanguage=en-en&itemPos=2&itemCount=2&sysParentName=Home&sysParentId=65

Unknown. (2015, April 5). Saylor.org Academy. Retrieved from Le Corbusier: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Le-Corbusier.pdf

Unknown. (2015, April 5). SS15, Subang Jaya. Retrieved from Propwall: http://www.propwall.my/subang_jaya/ss15

Yadav, U. (2014, January 26). Town Planning Concepts - Le Corbusier. Retrieved from Slide Share: http://www.slideshare.net/neelabandar/town-planning-concepts-le-corbusier