The evolution of housing in Le Corbusier’s urbanistic proposals. From machine to home

Abstract

The individual–collective dualism, first glimpsed in 1907 in the Ema charterhouse, is recognised by Le Corbusier as one of the generating and driving concepts of his urban planning proposals. First term is symbolised by the housing cell which makes up its own residential blocks; second term, by its outer public spaces. Both realities would evolve progressively to extreme and distant positions. Housing increasingly follows the second sense of the twenties expression “dwelling engine”, usually forgotten, which considered domestic space as the true stronghold of individual life: “a useful place for meditation, which will bring the essential calm to the spirit”. On the opposite, urban centre public spaces, null and void from his first proposals, will across time become real centres of communal relationship activities, such that at CIAM VIII in Hoddesden (England, 1951) would be defined as “hearts” of the city.