Book Review: Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier: Architect of the Twentieth Century by Kenneth Frampton, published by Abrams, 2002. Hardcover, 208 pages. (Amazon)



The prolific architectural historian and professor Kenneth Frampton published two book about the great architect Le Corbusier in as many years. 2001's Le Corbusier, part of the World of Art series, took the author's typical critical stance, but last year's book, featured here, is a coffee table book with large color and b/w photographs by Roberto Schezen. The book starts with a short introduction and ends with a chronology of realized projects. In between, brief descriptions accompany the 17 buildings included with plans and sketches to help illuminate each project. Frampton presents lesser-known projects, such as the architect's cabin retreat in southern France, as well as classics like NĂ´tre Dame du Haut, Chandigarh and the Carpenter Center. He gives attention to the circumstances behind the projects, the architect's ideas and the current state of each building.

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