Report & Documentation: Unite D' Habitation

HISTORY AND THEORY ARCHITECTURE II Precedent Study Report Unite D’ Habitation -Le Corbusier TAN CHAO ZHE DIPLOMA IN ARCHITECTURE SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONTENT PAGE

2

Table of Content

Introduction

4

Line of Inquiry 1

Massing

9

Line of Inquiry 2

Structure

17

Line of Inquiry 3

Interior VS Exterior

28

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONTENT PAGE

3

Line of Inquiry 4

Public VS Private

34

Line of Inquiry 5

Programmatic Distribution

44

Line of Inquiry 6

Circulation

56

Line of Inquiry 7

Facade

62

Conclusion

74

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTRODUCTION

4

Introduction “Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.”

-Le Corbusier

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTRODUCTION

5

Historical Background of Unite D’ Habitation

The Unite D’ Habitation is the first commision, large scale project received

by Le Corbusier from the French State to solve their housing problem. It is one of his most archetypal projects and one of the fundamental reference points for any architect. He was proposed to build 3 large housing blocks in a badly conditioned area of Southern Marseilles, France. Planning was begun in the Post-war, right after Second World War (1945-1946). The needs for housing was at an outstanding rate in France because people of Marseille were dislocated after the bombings on France. Reduced to a single block, Le Corbusier had eventually put to test out his ideas that he had been contemplating since the publishing of Vers une architecture on low cost mass housing for the industrialised society. It was a prototype for a vertical garden city and probably the rest of its kind. With his designated system of communal housing, Le Corbusier opposed de-urbanisation or ‘mania of single-family houses’. In place of this, he advocated skyscrapers as units of integrated urban architecture which would achieve an exact, established function and occupy a predetermined space. The work, of an unprecedented magnitude for its designer, was delayed by budgetary constraints. Unite D’ Habitation was completed in 1952, approximately 5 years rather than the 12 months of initially forecast.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTRODUCTION

6

Background information of Le Corbusier ●

● ●

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, Swiss-born architect, designer, urban planner and writer.

The main pioneer of Modern Architecture His career spanned 5 decades and he designed buildings mainly in Europe, Japan, India and North and South America.

Le Corbusier’s Design Philosophy Le Corbusier was the influential in the creation of international style. This was the moment defined by rectilinear forms, open interiors and ‘weightless’ structures.

Le Corbusier demonstrated these beliefs in his five principles of new architecture.

5 points of New Architecture

Pilotis- Columns, replacement of Load Bearing walls

Roof GardenMulti-purpose roof terrace

Horizontal windows- Window that cut through walls

Free Ground PlanFlexibility use of the living space

Free facade- Open and close section of the facade

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTRODUCTION

7

Site context During the stage of planning of Unite D’ Habitation, Le Corbusier discovered that the surroundings was badly damaged. He did not spot the possibilities of solving the modern man dwelling by proposing 3 individual standalone structures. Instead, he combined into one massive structure where it helps to overcome the encountered problems.

Site plan

Building concept This was the first project that Le Corbusier had to put in practice the theories of rate of scale which would precede the ‘Modular’. At the same time, it was an ambitious dream of integrating a good and autonomous facilities that would operate to sustain the housing estate, meeting the needs of its inhabitants and ensuring quality flexibility in relation to the outside world. By all means, the concept was to create a ‘vertical garden city’ that allows the interactions of a city within this residential block that would solve the issue of modern man’s dwellings in France during 1947.

This project was then became the most influential brutalism architecture.

The ‘Modular’ system This module concept, a new system of proportions based on the Renaissance was developed by Le Corbusier, which replaced the conventional metric decimal system.

This system is based on the human proportional, entirely opposite of the decimal system. It can be used to explore the experience of users within a space.

The modular

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTRODUCTION

8

Location plan N

Google map image

N

Revit site plan

The site plan above serves as a guide for the readers. It shows the North point which would allow the readers to understand on later’s drawings that being illustrated in the studies.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

Line of Inquiry 1

MASSING Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light: light and shade reveal these forms.

-Le Corbusier

MASSING

9

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING 10

The Sequence of Massing Model (Unit Layout)

Massing 1

Massing 2

Massing 4

Massing 3

Legend: Common area

Unit A

Unit B

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING

11

MASSING MODEL 1 (Unit Layout) Le Corbusier’s massing model always started off with a rectangular box which helps him to explore the relationship within the box.

Empty, Hollow, Simplicity.

This 3D model illustrates how a massing model can be started from a basic rectangular form that explains the predominance of the right angle in architectural plan.

MASSING MODEL 2 (Unit Layout) The massing model was then splitted into 3 parts which allows each storey to have a corridor and units align on both sides of the corridor.

Split, Mirror

This 3D model is showing how every units are being planned out in phase 1. Each storey has a corridor and units are splitted on both side of the corridor. Corridor is narrow and creates an infinity walkway to one end.

This 2D drawing is showed an ordinary layout of residential building. The flow of circulation in this massing model is to ensure every unit is accessible to the corridor.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING

12

MASSING MODEL 3 (Unit Layout)

The massing model described both units are interlocking with each others, greatly reduced the number of corridor on every 3 storeys.

Shift, Interlock.

In order to reduce the number of corridors, the units were shifted and interlocked with each others, forming a bigger volume space and providing a triple volume space in every unit.

Uppermost Plan

Intermediate Plan

Bottommost Plan

This 2D drawings illustrate the plan views of the units’ layout. These plans do not work efficiently because the units are narrow while still having a triple volume space. Besides, the view is constraint to one side.

The view is constraint to one side which allow the Le Corbusier to explore and improve on this massing model.

Section view across two units

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING

13

MASSING MODEL 4 (Unit Layout)

The final massing model was made by extending the uppermost and bottommost to one end, providing a spatial experience within the unit.

Extend.

To enhance the spatial experience within the unit, the units were extended to one end, giving a double volume space while allowing views on both sides.

Uppermost Plan

Intermediate Plan

Bottommost Plan

These floor plans explain how Le Corbusier achieve his idea by providing a more spatial layout on uppermost and bottommost plan to the dwellers. It has greatly reduced the number of corridors on every 3 storeys.

The section has clearly shown how the spatial configuration has been improved from previous massing model.

Section view across two units

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING 14

Massing Model (Overall Massing) In order to solve the problems of modern man dwelling, Le Corbusier has explored over the overall massing form. Therefore, he decided to make the dwellers to meet each others, creating a harmony neighbourhood within the Unite D’ Habitation.

Le Corbusier never let go a chance, therefore he utilised the roof and turned into a roof terrace, turning into a most social part of the building. It consists of a swimming pool, a running track, a childcare, a cafe and other facilities. The roof terrace will turn alive every evening fulfilling with laughters and joys.

The elevated streets are located on 7th and 8th storeys, providing the daily supplies for the dwellers. It served as a communal platform where all the dwellers can meet each others at this area.

On the ground, he exploits his one of his architecture points, pilotis, making them bulky to support the whole structure, making the building ‘floating’ and at the same time, allowing spaces flow freely underneath the building.

AutoCad Isometric View Legends: Communal spaces

Dwelling units

Corridors

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING

Massing Model Rooftop

Dwelling units

Elevated streets

Dwelling units

Pilotis

AutoCad Exploded Isometric View

15

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

MASSING 16

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 1- Massing, I learn how massing model is important to deal with the site context. It is basically a planning stage so we could implement our rough ideas in and slowly build up to come with a final concept. It can be splitted into parts and lastly join together like a ‘lego’. It is important to know about the site condition and the local context. Thus, the building will serve a purpose and I learn the concept of proposing a project by knowing the site context and constraints.

End of Line of Inquiry 1

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 17

Line of Inquiry 2

STRUCTURE “The purpose of construction is TO MAKE THINGS HOLD TOGETHER; of architecture TO MOVE US.” -Le Corbusier

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 18

What is structural system?

Structural system plays an important role in building construction. It is the particular method of assembling and constructing structural elements of a building. It works to support and transmit the applied loads to the foundation without exceeding the allowable stresses in the members.

Le Corbusier had developed a magnificent structural work in Unite D’ Habitation. One of his five architecture points, Pilotis, has been turned into a significant spot in this project.

What is Pilotis?

The pilotis is, needless to say, the most dominant element in constructing a building. It elevates the mass on ground and the rest of these points are more or less the result of the pilotis. Apart from raising up the building, the pilotis lifts the architectural volume, lighten it and free a space for a better circulation under the construction. They improve a building’s connectivity with the land, allowing spaces to flow freely.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 19

Pilotis in Unite D’ Habitation

In Unite D’ Habitation, Pilotis is one of the significant spots as Le Corbusier had developed in his own idea into this structural element. Pilotis in Unite D’ Habitation looks bulky and is supporting a thick floor slab.

In this project, pilotis served as an exposed foundation to support the thick floor slab, forming a new platform that allowed columns resting on it.

Therefore, the Pilotis is in a massive form and have structural system running below the thick floor slab.

Secondary beam Truss

Primary beam

Primary beam

Pilotis

3D SketchUp drawing that illustrates the structural system on the pilotis.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 20

How loads are being transferred to the ground?

LOADS

Columns

GROUND SketchUp north elevation view

LOADS

GROUND SketchUp east elevation view

Columns

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE

21

SketchUp plan view

Through these drawings, they clearly shown the intelligence of Le Corbusier. By utilising his Pilotis, he managed to create a ‘platform’ where all the columns can rest on it. This has solved the problem of having all the columns coming all the way down to the ground. This has given a opportunity of spaces being utilised on the ground floor.

LOAD Beam

Truss

SketchUp part elevation

What if the loads coming down from the side?

Loads from both end will transfer the pressure to the trusses. Instead of having cantilevered beam, truss has a more durable strength that can deal with the massive loads coming from the top and transfer them to the massive pilotis. Apart from this, it turned the floor slab into a trapezium instead of a rectangular shape.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 22

Load Bearing Wall Load Bearing Wall

Revit perspective view

Apart from Pilotis, Load Bearing wall is also one of the structural elements in this project. Forming an enclosed space on the ground floor. Providing vertical transportation inside and can be served as a communal space.

Beam Load Bearing Wall

Pilotis

GROUND SketchUp part elevation

Load Bearing Wall

Revit perspective view

This perspective drawing shows the load bearing is accessible to outdoor.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 23

Skeletal Structure- Framed Structure

Revit perspective view

This Revit drawing shows the magnificent of structural work that Le Corbusier had done. With the thick floor slab being raised up, all the columns are resting on it. Beams and columns are forming the skeletal structural above the thick floor slab which make this structural work amazing.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 24

Framed Structure

Primary beam

Cantilevered beam

Column Revit perspective view

This is the conceptual structural drawing for an ordinary layout. However, due to the spatial arrangement proposed by Le Corbusier, the framed structure was turned into a more complex form in order to align with Le Corbusier’s idea.

Secondary beams Revit perspective view

Secondary beams was kicked in in order to accommodate the double volume space that Le Corbusier intended to provide.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 25

Skin Structure- Fabric Structure

Fabric roof

Revit perspective view

The outdoor of communal space is sheltered by this fabric structure. Unlike typical structural roof, fabric structure provides a more flexible shape to the roof.

Load Bearing Wall

Load Bearing WallStaircase

This is an outdoor concrete staircase where it leads to the elevated street on 7th and 8th floors. This staircase is supported by a load bearing wall in the middle. The staircase is wrapping around the load bearing wall and travels up to 7th storey.

Revit perspective view

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 26

Exploded Structure Beams

Columns

Beams

Columns

Beams

Columns

Thick floor slab

Pilotis Revit exploded axonometric

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

STRUCTURE 27

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 2- Structure, I studied one of the five points of architecture that Le Corbusier proposed in Unite D’ Habitation- Pilotis. It is interesting that he made it bulky enough so it can deal with the massive structures above. In order to allow spaces flowing freely on ground, he made use of the pilotis to support a thick floor structure that allows columns on top could rest on it. This prevents columns from coming all the way down to the ground. Other than that, the structure also consisted of fabric structure and framed structure. It amazed me on how a residential building can be done in such a way that came from his own ideas.

End of Line of Inquiry 2

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR 28

Line of Inquiry 3

INTERIOR

VS

EXTERIOR

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep.”

-Le Corbusier

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR 29

Interior and Exterior In Unite D’ Habitation, the interior and exterior are well distributed in a sense that allows the residents to get the balance lifestyles of having indoor and outdoor activities in this vertical city. Therefore, Le Corbusier had put effort in structure in order to provide ‘Open Plan’ to offer greater flexibility in the design of interior spaces.

Ground Level On the ground floor, the spaces are partially indoor. It provides the transition space for the residents or visitors to enter this vertical city from the outdoor.

Revit perspective view

Communal space (Interior Space)

Guard post

Revit ground plan

The communal space serves as a transition space into this vertical city where it provides vertical transportation for the residents. However, the guard post at the side is more like an exterior space. It is being enclosed but exposed to the outside.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR 30

Elevated Streets The elevated streets on 7th and 8th floors, being a social gathering platform, works as an interior spaces in this vertical city. It was intended to replicate the street in a typical city, providing the dwellers with a suite of essential services.

Elevated streets Revit perspective view

Revit 7th floor plan

This elevated streets’ corridors being located near to the facades on both sides, creating the atmosphere of shopping on the streets in the city. The facades was designed to have louvres instead of curtain walls to have the connection between inside and outside.

Elevated street’s corridor

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR

31

Roof Terrace The roof terrace being the most social part of this vertical city serves as an exterior space where all the residents will gather here in the evening.

Gymnasium Sun terrace

Cafeteria

Cafe

Children’s playground

Revit exploded axonometric view on roof terrace

Revit roof terrace plan

Le Corbusier intended to design this project as a vertical city. Therefore, the roof terrace is designed in a way that exposed to the outside providing a better experience for outdoor activities. Even though most of the structures are enclosed, but they are designed to connect to the outside.

The cafe is open to sky. The sun terrace allows to view of the building’s surroundings. The cafeteria is raised up by 6 pilotis, enhancing the atmosphere to the outside. The gymnasium has been enclosed on both sides to enhance the work efficiency for the gymnastics. The roof terrace brings the natural world back into the architecture, as if replacing the land that building itself replaced.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR 32

Dwelling Units In Unite D’ Habitation, all the dwelling units are designed to accommodate the modern man’s dwelling. In order to solve this problem and provide them with a comfortable dwelling unit, Le Corbusier made all the units to be partially open at the side which is closer to the facade.

Brise Soleil

Internal corridor

Balcony

Revit axonometric view

Revit exploded axonometric view

The dwelling units are fully enclosed from the corridor for privacy purposes.

However, when the dwellers enter their own dwelling units, the transition from the exterior to the interior gives a big impact on the users. When entering the entrance door from the narrowed corridor, the wide living space gave the users the comfort of getting back their homes.

The balcony allows the connectivity between indoor and outdoor, providing the dwellers the outdoor feeling within their dwelling units. The balcony ensures a setback distance from the dwelling units to give more privacy in the indoor.

Balcony

Interior unit view to the balcony

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

INTERIOR VS EXTERIOR 33

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 3- Interior VS Exterior, I know the importance of relation between indoor and outdoor. It clearly shown in Unite of its interior and exterior and how they were distributed to strike the balance within the building. From macro to micro, Le Corbusier had played with the spaces and proposing a great spatial configuration especially in the dwelling units.

This has really shown that Le Corbusier did think off all the spaces in Unite D’ Habitation.

End of Line of Inquiry 3

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

Line of Inquiry 4

PUBLIC

VS

PRIVATE

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 34

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 35

Public Spaces Le Corbusier’s intentions was to introduce a vertical city in this project. It is essentially important to propose more public spaces than other residential projects. This is because public space will gather people and that is the impact which match with Le Corbusier’s ideas. Therefore, he considered the value of communal and shared space over the private space.

Communal Spaces on Ground Floor On ground floor, Le Corbusier wanted the openness, to allow the spaces flowing freely underneath this vertical city. Hence, he brought in the idea of huge pilotis that raised up the building in order to achieve this idea.

Entrance Revit perspective view

From the floor plan, it shows the flow of circulation to the entrance. By raising up the building with pilotis, it frees up a lot of spaces which was then turned up to be an outdoor gathering spaces and car parks. This is to ensure the ground floor always stay active, turning the bottom of the vertical city ‘alive’.

Revit ground plan

Entrance

Ground(pilotis)

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 36

Elevated Street

Revit 7th floor plan

Revit 8th floor plan

The elevated streets located on the 7th and 8th floors are public spaces. It was Le Corbusier’s intention to have a elevated streets in this vertical city.

During the planning stage, he discovered that by proposing a public space in the middle of the vertical city enhance his design concept.

Therefore, the elevated streets on 7th and 8th floors are accessible by everyone, allowing the residents to meet here, providing all the essential services.

User’s Experience The elevated streets provide the users a good atmosphere in a public space. It is well lit since the corridors are located right beside the facades. The residents enjoy this elevated streets as it gives a variety of essential services. This will cope with their boredness and might meet the residents of Unite D’ Habitation and chit-chat with them.

Elevated Streets

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 37

Roof Terrace

Revit perspective view

The roof terrace is also one of the public spaces in Unite D’ Habitation. The roof being the most ‘active’ area during the evening will bring all the residents to this area. The roof terrace has a running track, a club, a kinder garden, a gym, a shallow pool and etc.

Revit roof terrace plan

User’s Experience The roof terrace gives a series of outdoor experiences. The parapet walls along the roof terrace are higher than the normal’s. They are to block off the surrounding area which is badly damaged but at the same time, it links the users to the mountainous view nearby. Apart from the parapet walls, the openness of the roof terrace hooked up the extraverted of the local residents that brings them to the roof terrace every evening. The facilities at the roof terrace not only serves for the elderly but also the children.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 38

Private Spaces In this project, Le Corbusier kept the private spaces as minimum as possible. This would enhance his project’s concept (vertical city). It is because the more private areas he proposed, the more constraint (restricted area) that this vertical city would have. By that, the vertical city would not work efficiently because most of the areas were restricted.

Therefore, the private areas in this projects are dwelling units and service ducts as well as the M&E services.

Dwelling Units (Overall plans)

Revit lower part of dwelling unit floor plan

Revit middle part of dwelling unit floor plan

Revit upper part of dwelling unit floor plan

Remarks: - The 3D drawings helps to illustrate the floor plans above.

- The Upper Part refers to the drawing in red ONLY - The Middle Part dwelling refers to red, yellow and blue - The Bottom Part dwelling refers to blue ONLY Red: Unit A Yellow: Corridor Blue: Unit B

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 39

Dwelling Units (Zoomed-in) Within the dwelling units, there is also a sequence of public and private distribution that designed by Le Corbusier. He had thought through every spaces within the dwelling units.

Kitchen

Bedroom 1 Service areas

Bedroom 2

Dining

Living area

Revit lower part of dwelling unit floor plan

On lower part of the dwelling units, Le Corbusier separated the public and private areas on both end. The service areas serve as a transition space from public to private areas. Thus, the service areas are packed and narrowed, giving a sense of secluded vibes.

Living area

Common area

Corridor

Common area

Foyer Revit middle part of dwelling unit floor plan

On the middle part of the dwelling units which only can access from the common corridor, Le Corbusier creates a small and constricted foyer. After passing by the foyer, it is a wide and open common area and a double-volume living area.

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Dining Service areas

Bedroom 2

Revit upper part of dwelling unit floor plan

On upper part of the dwelling units, Le Corbusier also separated the public and private areas on both end. The service areas serve as a transition space from public to private areas. Thus, the service areas are packed and narrowed, giving a sense of secluded vibes.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 40

Degree of Privacy (Overall) Degree of privacy: Common area (1)

Semi-public (2)

Less private (3)

Private (4)

Roof Terrace

8th floor (Elevated Street)

7th floor (Elevated Street)

Ground floor

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric View

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 41

Degree of Privacy (Dwelling Units) For dwelling units in Unite D’ Habitation, they are broken into 3 storeys, forming a L-shaped interlocking on every 3 floors.

Degree of privacy: Common area (1)

Semi-public (2)

Less private (3)

Private (4)

Uppermost of Dwelling units

It is applicable on 3rd, 6th, 11st, 14th, 17th

Middle part of Dwelling units

It is applicable on 2nd, 5th, 10th, 13rd, 16th

Bottommost of Dwelling units

It is applicable on 1st, 4th, 9th, 12nd, 15th

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric View

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 42

Degree of Privacy (Zoomed-in of Dwelling Units) Degree of privacy: Common area (1)

Semi-public (2)

Less private (3)

Private (4)

Uppermost of Dwelling units

Middle part of Dwelling units

Bottommost of Dwelling units

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric View

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE 43

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 4- Public VS Private, the strong relations between public and private are clearly shown through this project. Since it is a residential unit apartment, thus by making certain floors as public spaces allow the residents to gather and this creates a communal spaces on that particular area. By providing private spaces, it would always had a narrowed, constricted area as a transition space. It is necessary to have the transition space that would give a different user’s experience.

End of Line of Inquiry 4

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 44

Line of Inquiry 5

PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 45

Define spaces in Unite D’ Habitation

Dwelling units

Service ducts

Semi-private balconies

Communal spaces

Shop houses

Lift shafts/ Bin points

Staircases

Gymnasium

Cafe

Sun terrace

Cafeteria

Swimming pool

Children’s playground

Health centre

Creche

Nursery

Guard post

Entrance

Lobby

Lift lobbies

Corridors/ Pathways

Outdoor spaces (Below pilotis)

Facade setback areas

Public washrooms

Planter boxes

Structures

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 46

How are the Spaces being Distributed?

Distribution of spaces

The spaces in Unite D’ Habitation are well distributed that it shows the equilibrium of the public and private as well as indoor and outdoor spaces.

The main spaces were distributed for the dwelling units where others areas were distributed to the communal spaces (public spaces). Le corbusier focused on the public facilities in order to fulfill his design concept of ‘Vertical Garden City’. Amazingly, he proposed more than 10 public areas for the residents or visitors to hang up with. It seems to be over providing the public spaces. However, in general, half of them are serving for essential services, e.g health centre, nursery and etc.

How are the Spaces being Planned?

The reasons behind of the equilibrium of distributed spaces is because Le Corbusier had proposed a well planned spaces arrangement. The common areas are not packed in one area but all around the vertical city. By all means, the public spaces are mainly located on the ground, the elevated streets (7th and 8th floors) and on the roof terrace. Thus, the dwelling units are being sandwiched by these communal spaces. Besides, this allow the users to explore around the building because of the spaces that being planned. The well distribution of spaces make the circulation works.

Moreover, there are some semi-private balconies on every floor that would allow the dwellers meet each others. This has shown the expression of a city where a place that allow the residents to meet each others, forming a good neighbourhood. Above all, Le Corbusier had solved the modern man’s dwelling while bonding the residents within the ‘Vertical Garden City’.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 47

Ground Floor

SketchUp Ground plan

Spatial planning On ground floor, there is a big patch of outdoor spaces because of the huge pilotis that raised up the building. Therefore, the spaces are flowing freely underneath the vertical city. By having the lobby in the center, it allows people to travel from all directions to enter the vertical city. Besides, the lobby acts as a transition space from outdoor to the indoor. Moreover, the guard post is also located underneath the vertical city to ensure the security of the building. Besides entering from the main entrance, there are 4 other staircases which would lead the users into the building but different destination. By proposing more entrances would also increase the number of escape ways which allow the residents escape from the building if any emergencies happen. The irregular shape of the roof (fabric roof) at the entrance is conveying the flexibility of its space.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 48

Elevated Streets

SketchUp 7th floor plan

SketchUp 8th floor plan

Spatial planning On the 2-floor-elevated-street, Le Corbusier wanted to keep it simple, lesser corridor and providing the best experience to the users. The corridor is in the center, aligning with shophouses on both sides.

Coming up to the lift lobby, a communal space for the residents to hang up, is located right in front of it. On the left side of the plans that illustrated above, there are another gathering spaces located at the end of the corridor. This is to supply the demands of socialization among the 1,600 dwellers. The public washrooms are located in between the gathering spaces and shop houses for easy accessible purpose. Other than that, the elevated street can be access from the staircase at the side of Unite D’ Habitation. Coming from the concrete staircase, the pathway is connected to the main corridor after the gathering spaces in order to avoid people coming in and out or passing by the gathering spaces. The semi-private balconies act as a more seclusive areas that reserved to those who needs to have a tranquil place to stay.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 49

Facilities on the roof

SketchUp 17th floor plan

SketchUp roof plan

Spatial planning Move on to the 17th floor, it is an integration of dwelling units and facilities on this floor. Dwelling units are planned on one side while the facilities are kept on another side. The facilities include a health care, nursery and a creche. These are the essential facilities and keep them in convenience to have a medical check up within the building. The public balconies cannot be access from the facilities to avoid over-crowded at the balconies. Up to this floor, the service ducts are provided on every floor for electrical, water and gas supplies.

Heading up to the roof terrace, it brings an indoor and outdoor experience to the user. Unlike the typical roof terrace where everything has to be opened to sky, the roof terrace here gives a series of experience to the users. There is a indoor gymnasium, cafe and cafeteria. Since the nursery is located on 17th floor (indoor), therefore the children’s playground is designed for them to have some outdoor activities. There is a sun terrace where the residents can enjoy the sun set sceneries every evening. There are a few structures stand at the roof terrace which bring out an aesthetics element on the roof itself.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 50

Overall of Space Distribution From the overall, it has shown a variety of spaces distributed among the bottom, middle and the top of the building. These are the spaces that Le Corbusier focused on, making the vertical garden city work in a sufficient way.

Roof Terrace

17th Floor

8th Floor (Elevated Street)

7th Floor (Elevated Street)

Ground Floor

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION

51

Unit Apartments (Plans)

SketchUp lower part of dwelling unit floor plan

SketchUp middle part of dwelling unit floor plan

SketchUp upper part of dwelling unit floor plan

Spatial planning Coming to the dwelling areas, the 3 floor plans are to be stacked on each others, forming a L-shaped interlocking apartments that wrapped around the corridor. There are quite a number of service ducts on all the dwelling units’ floors. This is because each of the service ducts are providing different services, e.g electrical, water, gas and etc. Even though there are no corridor on lower and upper part, it can still be accessed from the staircases. This is for the service men to provide their monthly maintenance on their respective service ducts.

The outdoor balconies can be access from the corridor and staircases.

Remarks: - The 3D drawings helps to illustrate the floor plans above.

- The Upper Part refers to the drawing in red ONLY - The Middle Part dwelling refers to red, yellow and blue - The Bottom Part dwelling refers to blue ONLY Red: Unit A Yellow: Corridor Blue: Unit B

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 52

Unit Apartments (Plans) From the dwelling unit plans, the spaces are being distributed well because the L-shaped interlocking unit apartments have greatly reduced the number of corridor on every 3 floors. Therefore, the spaces can be used for developing more dwelling units in order to accommodate the 1,600 dwellers.

Uppermost of Dwelling units

Middle part of Dwelling units

Bottommost of Dwelling units

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 53

Unit Apartments (Zoomed-in) Common corridor

Living area

Store

Foyer

Staircase

Study area/ office

Internal corridor

Balcony

Bedroom

Kitchen

Guest room

Built-in wardrobe

Dining area

Washrooms

Void (non accessible)

SketchUp lower part of dwelling unit floor plan

SketchUp middle part of dwelling unit floor plan

SketchUp upper part of dwelling unit floor plan

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 54

Unit Apartments (Zoomed-in) Coming in from the common corridor, the dwellers get to enter a foyer where it allows mood of transition. After passing through, it has a wide corridor that leads to the living area. Kitchen and dining are placed next to each other's to make sure food can be served immediately to the dining. The balcony and living area are placed together in order to create indoor and outdoor experience. Head up to the next floor, the narrowed corridor leads to the bedrooms. Spaces like study room, washrooms, store are located along the corridor which acts as the transition space to the private area.

Uppermost of Dwelling units

Middle of Dwelling units

Bottommost of Dwelling units

SketchUp Exploded Axonometric

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820 PROGRAMMATIC DISTRIBUTION 55

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 5- Programmatic Distribution, the spaces are well distributed. The spaces do not gather at one point to serve for a purpose but all around the building to have a consistent way of expressing the spaces. In this project, Le Corbusier did not mean to provide the minimum but the maximum number of facilities in this project so that it aligned with his design concept. The study of programmatic distribution has clearly shown of the well-considered of the space planning and the design thinking of Le Corbusier.

End of Line of Inquiry 5

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

Line of Inquiry 6

CIRCULATION “You don’t start a resolution by fighting the state but by presenting the solutions.”

-Le Corbusier

CIRCULATION 56

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CIRCULATION 57

Circulation Circulation plays an important role to a building. It helps to introduce certain extents that involve user experience and the atmosphere of the place. Circulation is important in one project, it leads the users to all spaces that have been provided. Circulation can affect a building for the sake of privacy purposes, open concept or leading to certain areas that the architect intended to. Therefore, Le Corbusier took considerations of the circulation in Unite D’ Habitation.

Circulation in Unite D’ Habitation In Unite D’ Habitation, the circulation is simple and straightforward. On the ground floor, the spaces are meant to flow freely and this helps the residents and visitors to come into this vertical city from any of the directions. Moving on to the elevated streets, the corridors are kept into 1 in order to provide more shophouses. This serves as a interaction point where the residents would get to meet each others. Heading up to the roof terrace, the circulation is flowing freely here as the roof terrace is meant for the users to have a series of indoor and outdoor experiences. Therefore by having an open concept on the roof terrace allow the users to access the entire roof terrace. For dwelling units, Le Corbusier intended to minimise the number of corridor. Therefore during the planning stage, he explored on the massing model and came out with 2 L-shaped interlocking apartments that wrapped around the corridor. By proposing this, he managed to propose only 1 corridor on every 3 floors.

Horizontal Circulation path These are the possible horizontal routes in Unite D’ Habitation.

Revit ground floor plan

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CIRCULATION 58

Horizontal Circulation Path

Revit 7th floor plan

Revit 8th floor plan

Revit roof terrace plan

Revit lower part of dwelling unit floor plan

Revit middle part of dwelling unit floor plan

Revit upper part of dwelling unit floor plan

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CIRCULATION 59

Vertical Transportation In Unite D’ Habitation, there are 3 main vertical transportations. First is the lifts that only accessible to certain floors. They are reserved for the residents and visitors to travel onto their respective dwelling unit floor. Second, the vertical transportation is staircases. They can be access on every floor and can travel to some private areas like service ducts.

Lastly, it is a ramp that provided on the roof terrace. The ramp helps the disabled to travel to certain area as the roof terrace is designed for everyone.

Ramp

Staircases

Lift Actual building perspective view Concrete staircase

Staircase

SketchUp exploded isometric view

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CIRCULATION 60

Circulation in Dwelling Units The drawing is showing the part section that cut across the dwelling units. There is only 1 way route that leads to the end of all the dwelling units. This is to keep it minimalistic, utilising the space for other purposes.

AutoCad part section view

Walk-through Experience The walk through experience of Unite D’ Habitation is an interesting topic. It brings the users to different spaces in order to express certain relations of the architect’s idea. On the ground floor, the flexibility of spaces would allow the users to travel all around the spaces from the outdoor to the indoor. Besides, the offset height of the thick floor slab that is supported by the huge pilotis, allow the user to relax, chilling below this vertical garden city. By taking the lift to the elevated street, user will reach at the lift lobby which help to setback a distance from the street. The main corridor is extended from one end to the other end of building, this corridor leads the user to explore on the street as the continuous long corridor, forming a 2 way consistent of travel on the street. It is either going in to the shophouses or walking through the end of corridor. One end of the corridor is a sitting area, allowing users to rest and chit chat with others. Whereas the other end is a semi private balconies that is more ‘anti-social’ public area. This balconies are meant to give users a break, taking a deep breathe while enjoying the panoramic view of the surroundings. By going into the balconies, the setback areas are there for a mood of transition, from a busy and crowded street to a tranquil, chilled area. The balconies are located on every floor, so that all the dwellers get to enjoy the privilege of the spaces, getting a better mood before going back to their apartment units. Heading up to the roof terrace, it is designed to have an open concept. All the spaces have a connection to the outside. Coming up from the lift, the users reach at the cafeteria block. Going out the space leads them to the sun terrace where they get to see a charming and magnificent view during the evening.

Besides, the whole platform is meant for the user to explore on the roof terrace. Therefore, there is no strict circulation on the roof terrace. Coming to the dwelling unit floors, the corridor stretch along from one end to the another. The one way of travel increase the privacy of the dwelling units as no one would loiter at this narrowed corridor.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CIRCULATION 61

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 6- circulation, I learned that circulation can be used to lead the users to certain areas. For example, the lifts can only access to dwelling units floor, elevated streets and roof terrace while staircases can access to some private spaces(service ducts, lift motor rooms). The placement of vertical transportations can be one of the strategy of leading the circulation. Besides, the walk-through experience is well considered because Le Corbusier had proposed different atmospheres at different areas to achieve the idea of that particular space.

End of Line of Inquiry 6

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 62

Line of Inquiry 7

FACADE The truthfulness of materials of constructions, concrete, bricks and stone, shall be maintained in all buildings constructed or to be constructed.The seed of Chandigarh is well sown. It is for the citizens to see that the tree flourishes.

-Le Corbusier

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 63

What is facade?

Facade, in general, it means the exterior walls of the building. However, in Architecture, it means more than just an exterior wall. Facade can be designed in many ways to cope with the site context. For example, to deal with excessive sunlight, to enable ventilation, to invite sunlight into the building and so on.

Facade of Unite D’ Habitation Facade of Unite D’ Habitation had shown the well thought of Le Corbusier.

After studying the facade, it was one of the well developed elements in Unite D’ Habitation. The facade in this project serves multiple functions as well as to cope with the site context, the user’s experience and aesthetics purposes.

The overall form looks boxy.

However, the detailed of the facade kicks in when getting into a closer look. One of the factors is the color, that it is being customised randomly to create an imbalance color to the facade. From the image beside, it is clear that the concrete facade changed to a louvres at certain levels. The brise soleil is one of the elements that is dealing with the site context.

Unite D’ Habitation facade

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 64

East Facade It will be interesting to start off with east elevation. It is because there is a variety types of elements implemented in this facade. This facade can be broken down into 4 parts. It is because each parts are dealing with the spaces, highlighting the relations between the facade and the interior spaces.

1

2

3

4

Revit east elevation

South elevation East elevation

The perspective drawing helps to illustrate facade overall looks. It show the colors and facade form from East and South elevations. From this perspective, you will spot the differences on east Facade and how it is being treated.

SketchUp perspective view

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 65

Part Elevation (East) (1) For the first part (1), It is a flushed, fully enclosed concrete wall. This is because the semi-private balconies are located at this area. Therefore, Le Corbusier wanted it to be enclosed to express the relationship in that particular spaces. Both sides are covered with flushed concrete facade.

Besides, the raw texture of the rough concrete was expressing the post war situation.

SketchUp part elevation

Part Elevation (East) (2) At this part elevation (2), the facade is trying to deal with the dwelling units. In order to have outdoor experience in every dwelling units, balcony is the best option to do it.

However, most of the residential units will make it cantilevered that made the balcony protruding out of the facade. To prevent this happen, Le Corbusier blended the railing of balcony together with the facade. Therefore, it is protruding out together with it one whole piece facade.

SketchUp part elevation

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 66

Part Elevation (East) (3) This part elevation (3) is showing the middle part where there is a concrete wall with full of horizontal windows on it. This area is where the lift lobbies are located. It is not appropriate for the facade to join continuously from one end through another. Therefore, there is a ‘breakdown’ between the facade. Le Corbusier was then implemented his points of new architecture- horizontal windows. This windows are well arranged, added more elements on the facade instead of merely having a full concrete wall which starts from the ground through level 17th. This windows are giving the cross ventilation at the lift lobby, as well as at the interior corridors.

SketchUp part elevation

Part Elevation (East) (4)

SketchUp part elevation

The part elevation (4) is principally same as the part elevation (2). The only difference is highlighted in red. There is a louvres spanning across level 7 and 8 (elevated street). The louvres is made out of concrete which is serving for purpose.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 67

West Facade

Revit west elevation

West elevation facade is similar to East facade. The concrete louvres is an interesting elements that Le Corbusier wanted to propose that aim to achieve certain relationship between the spaces.

From the perspectives views, there are clear glass windows stand behind the concrete louvres and the concrete louvres are located at the elevated streets. It is obvious that Le Corbusier wanted the connection to the outside at the streets.

Therefore, to deal with the excessive sunlight, he applied louvres that would reflect the direct sunlight while still allowing the indirect sunlight coming into the building. This has ensured that the streets are always well lit and being connected to the outside.

SketchUp perspective view

Actual building perspective view

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 68

North Facade

Actual building perspective view

The north elevation is totally enclosed to prevent cold wind coming into the building during the winter. This facade is fully covered by concrete, forming a large concrete panel. The concrete staircase is considered part of the facade. This has added an element to the facade.

It is intended by Le Corbusier because the staircase sprouted the curiosity of users to explore its destination. The staircase makes this facade stands out.

The concrete staircase is leading the users to the elevated streets.

Revit north elevation

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 69

South Facade On south facade, it seems to have an inconsistent way on planning the facade.

However, there is an algorithm on planning this south facade. Part of Le Corbusier’s idea lies behind this facade. Since the dwelling units are stacked upon each others on every 3 floors, the residents might need some semi-public areas to relax. Therefore, the spaces here are served for the purpose. It is designed to allow the residents for gathering with an outdoor spaces.

Balcony

SketchUp perspective view

Since the dwelling units are stacked on each others, the algorithm of planning the facade is shown on every 3 floors. On the first floor, it has a protruded common balconies that blended with the facade extended from one end to another. On the second floor, there is only 3 balconies. The remaining 2 are installed with full height glass windows in case the spaces can be used at indoor during the chronic weather. On the third floor, the way of planning it is same as second floor, just that the placement of full height glass windows are different. The first floor of elevated street is protruded out with balconies and second floor is placed with full height glass windows. From overall views, Le Corbusier kept the protruded balconies in the middle on every floor because it gives a full wide view.

Revit south elevation Indoor First floor part plan Indoor Second floor part plan Indoor Third floor part plan Indoor Window

Balcony

Views AutoCad part plan

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 70

Materials The materials being used on the facade are mainly reinforced beton-brut concrete, plaster and paint and steel chain fence. These 3 main materials seem odd to put them together. However, Le Corbusier brought out an outstanding planning and these 3 elements are well consolidated among themselves.

Reinforced Beton-Brut Concrete Reinforced beton-brut concrete is the main material used in Unite D’ Habitation. Unlike Le Corbusier’s previous projects of stark, white facade because reinforced beton-brut concrete is relatively cheaper in post-war Europe. Another purpose of having it is because it symbolizing the state of the war- rough, unforgiving and worn.

Concrete texture

Colored-Plaster-and-Paint Colored-plaster-and-paint is used at the dwelling units. The colors are being customised randomly.

In fact, the imbalance of the colors used create a eye-catching view to the facade. It is interesting that this material cannot be seen in elevation but from the perspectives. The reason is because Le Corbusier wanted us to look things in different angles to get different results.

Plaster and paint texture

Steel Chain Fence Steel chain fence is used at the balconies. The openings in between allows wind pass through the balcony into the dwelling unit. The steel texture also matched with the rough concrete.

Instead of using steel bar that commonly been used, steel chain fence is more appropriate for the sake of flushing with the facade.

Steel chain fence texture

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 71

Brise Soleil Since the main elevations are facing east and west. Thus, they have to due with the high angle sun rays during the summer and also invite the sun into the building during winter. It was a challenging process to deal with the site context. The sun shading device that has been implemented in this project is Brise Soleil. It is made out of concrete and is a good heat insulator. The brise soleil is a horizontal facade element in Unite D’ Habitation.

During Summer During summer, the high angle sun rays will bring in excessive heat into the building. In order to prevent this, the brise soleil helps to block off the heat coming into the double-volume living area. It reflects the direct sunlight while allowing the indirect sunlight into the dwelling unit. Therefore, the residential units are always well lit during the summer

During summer

Brise Soleil Window High angle sun’s rays (60°)

Balcony

Double-volume living area

AutoCad part section

During Winter During winter, the heat is important to deal with the cold weather. The low angle sun rays help to solve this issue. With the installation of brise soleil, the sun rays would not be blocked as it is placed horizontally. Therefore, the heat could come into the dwelling units and keep the units warmer.

During winter

Brise Soleil Window Low angle sun’s rays (30°)

Balcony

Double-volume living area

AutoCad part section

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 72

Exploded Brise Soleil

Windows

Brise Soleil

Balcony (Floor slab)

SketchUp exploded axonometric view

Overall Forms

Steel chain fence SketchUp axonometric views

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

FACADE 73

Conclusion From Line of Inquiry 7- facade, I learned that facade is not only an exterior wall of a building but it means more than that. From Unite D’ Habitation, the facade is interesting that it is broken down into several pieces that function differently. After all, they come back and join together and present as a whole facade. The brise soleil has amazed me because the small piece of it, has impacted onto the dwelling units. Besides, instead of having a full flushed concrete facade, Le Corbusier wanted to have a staircase towards the elevated street that makes people think of the spaces behind the opening.

End of Line of Inquiry 7

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONCLUSION “A house is a machine for living.”

-Le Corbusier

CONCLUSION 74

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONCLUSION 75

Conclusion In a nutshell, the building does align with Le Corbusier’s ideas. He had successfully proposed a ‘vertical garden city’ while solving the issue of modern man’s dwelling. From this study, I get to know the macro to micro thinking of the architect. Even though the idea is basic but along the planning, he kept referring back to his original concept. At first, I thought it would be a ‘boring’ project.

However, when I study through these 7 lines of inquiries, it changed my mind. It is indeed one of the magnificent projects that Le Corbusier had proposed.

By dissecting the building into several parts, it helps me to understand better of the thoughts of the architect. Even when I broken down into several parts for the study, all the inquiries clearly shown the ideas of how they get to achieve the original concept. By all means, they can be breaking into parts while still having the characteristic of the vertical city. By adding up all the inquiries, they are strengthening and enhancing the original concept.

Revit exploded axonometric view

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONCLUSION 76

Summary of 7 Lines of Inquiries From Massing, it communicates the rough ideas of the spaces being developed to form a vertical city. It is a general idea to distribute the spaces and at the same time adding some features into the building in order to enhance the building concept. This will help to explain the building concept and guide the architect to not lose track of his own idea. Massing always being the fundamental progress in architecture as it helps to describe the rough idea of the concept.

From Structure, it shows how the building is being raised up. Besides, the structure is one of the important elements in architecture. This is because it shows how the architect responds to the structure elements. In Unite D’ Habitation, the main structure- pilotis, helps to raise up the thick floor slab, allowing the massive structure to rest on top of it. Besides, the structure helps to express the specific idea of space. For instances, the entrance is constructed with the fabric roof. This shows the flexibility of spaces that the entrance is designed for users to come into the building from any of the directions.

From Interior VS Exterior, the spaces are classified to be indoor and outdoor.

In order to link back to the original idea, some spaces are meant to be indoor and outdoor. For examples, the interior spaces can expose to the outside and exterior spaces can be enclosed to create a seclusive area. In Unite D’ Habitation, the elevated streets are located at the indoor but exposed to the outside. Le Corbusier designed the concrete louvers to connect the streets partially to the outdoor. Besides, the roof terrace is meant to be open, but spaces like the cafe and cafeteria are being enclosed, ensuring the comfort of a house while they are still at the outdoor spaces.

From Public VS Private, the proposal has given a balance between public and private spaces. By proposing a vertical garden city in a residential building, it amazed me because to strike the balance of it, the public and private spaces have to be well considered. Besides, the main objective was to accommodate the modern man’s dwelling problem. Thus, the project must be able to accommodate a huge amount of dwellers while aligning with its own design concept. Amazingly, the public spaces are focused on the ground, elevated streets and roof terrace where the rest of the spaces are served to accommodate the dwellers.

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

CONCLUSION 77

Summary of 7 Lines of Inquiries From Programmatic Distribution, the spaces are well considered and planned. Le Corbusier had thought through all aspects from the limited funds from the France government to the man’s dwelling problem. He did not focus on the communal spaces in one area to fulfill his design concept but he proposed a lot of facilities all around the building to enhance the circulation. Even though it seems like over providing the communal spaces, but in general they strike a balance within the dwelling units and all the designated facilities.

From Circulation, Le Corbusier strategies the circulation to allow residents to walk through and explore this vertical garden city. The lifts which commonly be used by the residents give the restriction of only accessing on certain floors while the staircases can lead users to some private spaces like service ducts. On the roof terrace, Le Corbusier designed the ramp for the disabled to reach up the cafe which located on a 2 storeys structure. The concrete staircase at the side allows the users to access onto the elevated streets. While traveling up to the streets, the concrete staircase allows the users to turn around, enjoying the view of the surroundings.

From Facade, it is interestingly overcome the constraints of the site by the sun shading device, Brise Soleil. They are used to block off the high angle sun during the summer and invite the sun into the unit during winter.

Besides, the expression of the materials have given the background history of the building, the postwar situation. Moreover, all 4 facades are dealing with the site context and the space inside. Therefore, it came out with different types of facade at certain extents.

End of Conclusion

TAN CHAO ZHE

P1939820

REFERENCES 78

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit%C3%A9_d%27habitation https://www.archdaily.com/85971/ad-classics-unite-d-habitation-le-corbusier https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/15/le-corbusier-unite-d-habitation-cite-radi euse-marseille-brutalist-architecture/ http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisO bjectId=5234&sysLanguage=en-en&itemPos=58&itemCount=78&sysParentId =64&sysParentName=home https://archello.com/project/cite-radieuse-marseille-unite-dhabitation https://99percentinvisible.org/article/unite-dhabitation-le-corbusiers-proto-br utalist-urban-sky-villages/ https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/views-on-le-corbusiers-unite-d habitation https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/unite-dhabitation-of-marseille/ http://declad.com/unite-dhabitation-the-brutalist-boat/ http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Unite_d_Habitation.html https://lecorbusier-worldheritage.org/en/unite-habitation/ https://athome201dotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/unite-dhabitation_en glishversion.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281266087_A_critical_appraisal_of_ the_design_construction_and_influence_of_the_Unite_d'Habitation_Marseille s_France https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281266087_A_critical_appraisal_of_ the_design_construction_and_influence_of_the_Unite_d'Habitation_Marseille s_France/fulltext/5baa772e299bf13e604c8304/A-critical-appraisal-of-the-desi gn-construction-and-influence-of-the-Unite-dHabitation-Marseilles-France.p df https://wooj.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/woojae-sung-m-arch-cornell-2011.pdf

THE END