Le Corbusier’s LC4 Chaise Longue

“A house is a machine for living in.”

Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French architect, designer, urban planner, and writer widely considered one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Born in Switzerland in 1887, he was initially named Charles-Édouard Jeanneret but later adopted the pseudonym Le Corbusier, which means “the crow-like one” about his physical appearance.

Le Corbusier was known for his innovative and modernist approach to architecture and design, emphasising functionality, simplicity, and new materials and technologies. He was a crucial figure in developing the International Style of architecture, which emerged in the 1920s and became the dominant modern architectural style in the following decades.

The International Style of Architecture is a design movement that emerged in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s and was later adopted and developed in the United States. It is characterised by focusing on functionality, simplicity, and the use of new materials and technologies rather than on ornamentation or historical references.

The International Style is typically associated with the work of architects such as Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius, who were all proponents of the movement. The style was influential in the development of modern architecture, and its ideas and principles continue to influence architectural design to this day.

The International Style focuses on function. Buildings are designed with a precise and efficient system of procedures and spaces rather than to make a visual statement. It is also simplistic and minimal. Simple geometric shapes, clean lines, and a pared-down aesthetic with little or no ornamentation characterised the movement. In addition to that, the adherent of the movement used new materials and technologies: Materials such as concrete, steel, and glass are used extensively, and buildings are designed to take advantage of new construction techniques, such as prefabrication.

The design of buildings is based on rational principles rather than subjective or personal tastes, and they are often designed with a horizontal emphasis rather than the vertical emphasis of traditional architecture.

Overall, the International Style represents a break from traditional forms of architecture and a move towards a more functional and rational approach to design. Its influence can be seen in many contemporary buildings, and its legacy continues to shape how we think about architectural design today.

Le Corbusier’s most famous works are the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, the Unité d’Habitation housing complex in Marseille, France, and the Chandigarh Capitol Complex in India. He also designed furniture and interiors, including the LC4 Chaise Longue, and was a prolific writer on architecture and design theory.

The architectural philosophy of Le Corbusier was based on his belief that architecture should be functional, efficient, and in harmony with the needs of modern society.

Le Corbusier believed that buildings should be designed to serve their occupants’ needs rather than make a visual statement. He pioneered the concept of the “machine for living,” which suggested that buildings should be designed like machines, with a precise and efficient system of functions and spaces.

Another critical aspect of Le Corbusier’s philosophy was his emphasis on the importance of urban planning. He believed that cities should be designed to be efficient, rational, and healthy places to live, with ample space for greenery and public amenities. He strongly advocated creating high-density housing complexes, which he believed could offer a more efficient and egalitarian form of living.

Le Corbusier was also profoundly interested in the potential of technology to transform architecture and society. He saw architecture as a tool for social progress and thought buildings could be vital in shaping a better, more equitable society. He saw technology as a tool for social progress and believed that new materials and construction techniques could help improve the quality of life for people worldwide.

Overall, Le Corbusier’s architectural philosophy was characterised by a solid commitment to functionality, efficiency, and the needs of modern society. His ideas about modernism, urban planning, and the role of technology in architecture continue to be influential today. His work remains a significant source of inspiration for architects and designers worldwide.

Le Corbusier died in 1965, but his legacy continues to influence architecture and design worldwide. His ideas about modernism, urban planning, and the use of technology in architecture remain highly relevant today. Architects, designers, and scholars continue to study and celebrate his work.

Le Corbusier’s most famous works are the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, the Unité d’Habitation housing complex in Marseille, France, and the Chandigarh Capitol Complex in India. He also designed furniture and interiors, including the LC4 Chaise Longue, and was a prolific writer on architecture and design theory.

The LC4 Chaise Longue is a famous piece of furniture designed by Le Corbusier, a renowned architect and designer from Switzerland. Le Corbusier originally designed the LC4 Chaise Longue in 1928 in collaboration with his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, a young designer who had just joined their studio.

The LC4 Chaise Longue was initially created as a prototype for a competition organised by the Union des Artistes Modernes in Paris. The design of the chaise was intended to be a modern and comfortable alternative to the traditional chaise longue, which was commonly associated with ornate and fussy Victorian-era furniture.

Le Corbusier’s design for the LC4 Chaise Longue featured a sleek, minimalist frame made of tubular steel, which supported a contoured, ergonomic seat and backrest. The seat and backrest were made of leather or fabric, which could be adjusted for optimal comfort by sliding along the frame. The result was a highly functional and versatile piece of furniture that could be used for relaxing, reading, or even sleeping.

The LC4 Chaise Longue was not an immediate success, however. It was initially considered too radical and avant-garde for the mainstream market. It was only in the 1960s that it gained widespread popularity as an iconic piece of modern furniture design.

As mentioned above, LC4 Chaise Longue was a collaboration effort between Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand.

Pierre Jeanneret was a Swiss-French architect and designer who was Le Corbusier’s close collaborator and cousin. Born in Switzerland in 1896, Jeanneret studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva before joining his cousin’s architectural studio in Paris in the 1920s.

Jeanneret worked closely with Le Corbusier on many of his most famous projects, including the Villa Savoye and the Unité d’Habitation housing complex. He was also involved in the design of furniture and interiors, often working alongside Charlotte Perriand, another talented designer who collaborated with Le Corbusier.

In the 1950s, Jeanneret moved to India, where he worked as an architect and urban planner for the government of Punjab. He played a vital role in the design of Chandigarh, a new city that was being built to serve as the capital of the state. Jeanneret’s work in India was highly influential and helped to shape the development of modern architecture and urban planning in the country.

Jeanneret died in 1967, but his legacy continues to be celebrated by architects and designers worldwide. His work with Le Corbusier and his contributions to modern architecture and design development make him an important figure in the history of 20th-century architecture.

The second collaborator was Charlotte Perriand. She was a French architect, designer, and photographer widely recognised as one of the most important and influential designers of the 20th century. Born in Paris in 1903, Perriand studied furniture design at the École de l’Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in the 1920s.

In 1927, Perriand was invited to join the studio of Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, where she quickly became an important collaborator. Perriand’s designs for furniture and interiors were instrumental in developing the International Style of Architecture and procedure, which emphasised simplicity, functionality, and the use of new materials and technologies.

Perriand’s most famous works include the LC4 Chaise Longue, which she designed in collaboration with Le Corbusier and Jeanneret, and a series of modular furniture pieces that could be adapted for different uses and environments. She also designed several interiors for Le Corbusier’s buildings, including the Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau at the 1925 Paris Exposition.

In addition to her work as a designer, Perriand was also an accomplished photographer and traveller. She travelled extensively throughout her life, documenting her journeys through photographs and using her experiences to inform her design work.

Perriand died in 1999, but her legacy continues to be celebrated by designers and architects worldwide. Her contributions to the development of modern design and her commitment to combining aesthetics with functionality have made her an essential figure in the history of 20th-century design.

Today, the LC4 Chaise Longue is considered a classic of modernist design and is still produced and sold by the Italian furniture company Cassina, which acquired the rights to Le Corbusier’s designs in the 1960s.

If you are interested in buying the Tables, you can find them at Heal’s.