Born Charles-édouard Jeanneret, Le Corbusier (1887–1965) is widely acclaimed as the most influential architect of the 20th century. From private villas to mass social housing projects, his radical ideas, designs, and writings presented a whole-scale reinvention not only of individual structures, but of entire concepts of modern living. Le Corbusier’s work made distinct developments over the years, from early vernacular houses in Switzerland through dazzling white, purist villas to dynamic syntheses of art and architecture such as the chapel at Ronchamp and the civic buildings in Chandigarh, India. A hallmark throughout was his ability to combine functionalist aspirations with a strong sense of expressionism, as well as a broader and empathetic understanding of urban planning. He was a founding member of the Congrès international d’architecture moderne (CIAM), which championed “architecture as a social art.” This book presents some of Le Corbusier’s landmark projects to introduce an architect, thinker, and modern pioneer who, even in his unrealized projects, offered discussion and inspiration for generations to come.

勒·柯布西耶(1887-1965)生于查尔斯·爱德华·珍妮雷特，被广泛誉为20世纪有影响力的建筑师。从私人别墅到大型社会住宅项目，他激进的想法、设计和作品不仅对个人结构，而且对现代生活的整个概念进行了全面的改造。多年来，勒·柯布西耶的作品取得了显著的发展，从瑞士早期的民居到耀眼的白色纯粹主义别墅，再到艺术和建筑的动态综合，如朗尚教堂和印度昌迪加尔的市民建筑。自始至终，他的一个显著特点是能够将功能主义的愿望与强烈的表现主义意识相结合，以及对城市规划更广泛和同情的理解。他是国际现代建筑大会(CIAM)的创始成员，该大会倡导“建筑作为一种社会艺术”。这本书介绍了勒·柯布西耶的一些里程碑式的项目，以介绍一位建筑师、思想家和现代先锋，即使在他未实现的项目中，他也为后代提供了讨论和灵感。