(left) The ramp to the third-level sanctuary and (right) a detail of the entrance platform. One of three used in the design of the church, the ‘light cannon’ is a device specific to Le Corbusier’s architecture .
tions of the concrete gutters. The emotion one feels is similar to the experience of seeing Corbu’s chapel at Ronchamp. Corbusier is both relative and inspirational to us today because he practiced architecture as an art form, and he lived his life as an artist. He has much to teach us. His architectural work demonstrates that our dreams of creating great architecture with similar aesthetic and spiritual qualities can be achieved. Corbusier built 57 buildings in 12 countries and designed several urban planning projects, but he also created over 400 paintings, dozens of sculptures and tapestries, as well as wrote books and articles, and lectured widely. Architecture was just one of his artistic enterprises. One of the reasons I admire Corbusier is the fact that he was an idealist, as are all great architects. During the 1950s he was the most famous architect in the world primarily because he refused to apologize for sculptural form, proportion, and simplicity. He insisted that all architects have not only the right but the obligation to respond to the needs of their client and the public through artistic means, going beyond architectural craft to resolve issues such as function, cost, etc. He had the power, the ego, the reputation, the intensity, and the talent to best serve his clients by pressing his own personal artistic agenda, and thereby giving his clients and the public more than what was expected. At the same time, he was fulfilling architecture’s potential and promise. Richard Payne, FAIA, is an architectural photographer in Houston.
(right) This photo shows the three roof openings at the rear of the sanctuary. There are two chapels in the church, one used during the week and this one that is used for Sunday services. The church also contains an interpretation center dedicated to Le Corbusier’s works.
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