Le Corbusier floor reading lamps

Born in the Swiss town of Neuchatel in 1887, Le Corbusier, or Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, was both a rational and rebellious architect. At the age of 14, his parents enrolled him in a course in copperplate engraving and chiseling at the city's art school; his teachers quickly recognized Jeanneret's talent and moved him up to higher education to study architecture.

During his studies he designed his first house, the Villa Fallet, which was built in the early 1900s. In 1917, Charles-Edouard moved to Paris where he adopted the pseudonym Le Corbusier. It was at this time that he started working as a real architect, having already built his first house at the age of 20. In 1922, he opened an architectural studio in Paris with his cousin, a partnership that lasted until 1940. Over the years, Le Corbusier became one of the most influential designers in modern design. In 1958, Le Corbusier was awarded the Litteris et Artibus prize by the Swedish Royal Family.

Le Corbusier's modernist aesthetic was groundbreaking and critical of architectural traditions. He considered a building to be “a machine for living”, by which he meant that housing should be subordinated to human needs and nothing else. Le Corbusier was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. He is undoubtedly a pioneer of modernism. He also designed furniture, most notably with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. At the 1929 Salon de l'Est, they showed a number of pieces they had designed together for modern homes, including the Grand Confort. All three designers are now classed as icons, and their modern designs are as popular now as they were then. Italian Cassina produces several of their works, including the LC1, LC2, LC4 and LC5. All are equally iconic pieces of seating furniture, are available in our range at the NO GA, and will suit any modern home.