Architecture: Le Corbusier
Project: Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut
Years: 1950 — 1955
Photos: Hiepler, Bruiner, Mili Sanchez Ascona
Location: Ronchamp, FR
Text by: Anastasia Strashnova
The idea to build the chapel was conceived by the Dominican monk, Father Marie-Alain Couturier, a student of Maurice Denis’s "Workshops of Religious Art."
The literal translation of the chapel’s name "Notre Dame du Haut" is "Our Lady of the Heights," highlighting its location atop a hill.
The first Christian church here dated back to the 13th century, built on the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to sun worship. In 1913, it was destroyed by lightning, and the newly rebuilt chapel was demolished during World War II.
The building’s roof was inspired by the shape of a seashell the architect found while on a beach holiday on Long Island.
The church is constructed of concrete while preserving the stonework of the previous structure. An open-air altar is situated on the north side of the building.
From every angle, Notre-Dame-du-Haut appears different, with slightly curved walls and windows that dance across them in a free geometric pattern.
Interestingly, the interior window openings are larger than those on the exterior. On the south side of the chapel, there are colored stained-glass windows through which natural light enters, casting the interior in a multitude of hues.
In his work, Le Corbusier employed the principle of visual acoustics, according to which light reflects off surfaces similar to sound, guiding the movement of light throughout the day.
Light plays with the building, much like Corbusier played with his name. The architect’s real name was Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, and his pseudonym was derived from his grandfather’s surname. With his new name, Corbusier promoted the idea that there is always an opportunity to reinvent oneself and change one’s path.
In "Le Modulor II," Le Corbusier provides a comprehensive description of the chapel: "Everything in it is interconnected. The poetry and lyricism of the image are born from free creation, the brilliance of strictly mathematically justified proportions, and the flawlessness of the combination of all elements.
@gorkjournal
Project: Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut
Years: 1950 — 1955
Photos: Hiepler, Bruiner, Mili Sanchez Ascona
Location: Ronchamp, FR
Text by: Anastasia Strashnova
The idea to build the chapel was conceived by the Dominican monk, Father Marie-Alain Couturier, a student of Maurice Denis’s "Workshops of Religious Art."
The literal translation of the chapel’s name "Notre Dame du Haut" is "Our Lady of the Heights," highlighting its location atop a hill.
The first Christian church here dated back to the 13th century, built on the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to sun worship. In 1913, it was destroyed by lightning, and the newly rebuilt chapel was demolished during World War II.
The building’s roof was inspired by the shape of a seashell the architect found while on a beach holiday on Long Island.
The church is constructed of concrete while preserving the stonework of the previous structure. An open-air altar is situated on the north side of the building.
From every angle, Notre-Dame-du-Haut appears different, with slightly curved walls and windows that dance across them in a free geometric pattern.
Interestingly, the interior window openings are larger than those on the exterior. On the south side of the chapel, there are colored stained-glass windows through which natural light enters, casting the interior in a multitude of hues.
In his work, Le Corbusier employed the principle of visual acoustics, according to which light reflects off surfaces similar to sound, guiding the movement of light throughout the day.
Light plays with the building, much like Corbusier played with his name. The architect’s real name was Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, and his pseudonym was derived from his grandfather’s surname. With his new name, Corbusier promoted the idea that there is always an opportunity to reinvent oneself and change one’s path.
In "Le Modulor II," Le Corbusier provides a comprehensive description of the chapel: "Everything in it is interconnected. The poetry and lyricism of the image are born from free creation, the brilliance of strictly mathematically justified proportions, and the flawlessness of the combination of all elements.
@gorkjournal