Le Corbusier: The Not-So-Modest Modernist

Le Corbusier may have been a renowned architect and urban planner, but let’s not forget he also had a massive ego to match his massive concrete buildings.

Born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (not quite as catchy, huh?), Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French architect who played a significant role in the development of modern architecture, with his design philosophy centered around simplicity, functionality, and the use of concrete. He saw himself as a pioneer of a new era, a visionary architect who was creating the cities of the future.

However, there was just one little problem - his rather presumptuous attitude.

He had a habit of referring to himself in the third person, insisting that everyone call him “Le Corbusier” rather than his actual name, and he wasn’t shy about declaring his own brilliance. In fact, he once famously proclaimed, “I am not an architect, I am Le Corbusier.”

It wasn’t just his name that he insisted on - he was also known for designing buildings that would make even the most staunch minimalist feel claustrophobic. His famous concrete buildings may have had some artistic merit, but could anyone actually live in them? After spending some time in Le Corbusier’s “machines for living,” it’s no wonder that his residents often experienced anxiety, depression, and an overwhelming desire for some wallpaper.

Despite these issues, Le Corbusier’s impact on architecture was significant. He created large-scale urban plans that aimed to improve the living conditions of city residents, and many of his designs were ahead of their time. His work continues to influence architects to this day, and his ego lives on in the annals of architectural history.

Perhaps someday, Le Corbusier’s buildings will regain their reputation as livable spaces - but until then, we can only chuckle at the notion that they were ever meant for human habitation.