Architect. Le Corbusier, professional name of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, was a Swiss-French architect, painter, writer, urban planner, sculptor, and modern furniture designer. He had a major effect on the development of modern architecture, seeking a new 20th-century style that broke with the forms and design of historic styles. Over a fify year career, his buildings were constructed throughout the world. In his work, he emphasized providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. He was born in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, where he received an early art education. He then studied modern building construction in Paris, where he practiced as an architect. Le Corbusier was also active as a painter and writer. During the period between 1920 and 1925, he developed his essentially functionalist theories on architecture and wrote numerous articles in support. Le Corbusier became a French citizen in 1930. His work did much to bring about general acceptance of the now-common international style of low-lying, unadorned buildings that depend for aesthetic effect on simplicity of forms and relation to function. He was responsible for numerous prize-winning building designs over a long career. As part of a collaborative effort among a multinational team of leading architects, he was appointed to plan permanent buildings for the United Nations in New York City. The Secretariat, a tall, glass-sided slab, is primarily of his design. Le Corbusier died at age 77 in 1965 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.

Architect. Le Corbusier, professional name of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, was a Swiss-French architect, painter, writer, urban planner, sculptor, and modern furniture designer. He had a major effect on the development of modern architecture, seeking a new 20th-century style that broke with the forms and design of historic styles. Over a fify year career, his buildings were constructed throughout the world. In his work, he emphasized providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. He was born in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, where he received an early art education. He then studied modern building construction in Paris, where he practiced as an architect. Le Corbusier was also active as a painter and writer. During the period between 1920 and 1925, he developed his essentially functionalist theories on architecture and wrote numerous articles in support. Le Corbusier became a French citizen in 1930. His work did much to bring about general acceptance of the now-common international style of low-lying, unadorned buildings that depend for aesthetic effect on simplicity of forms and relation to function. He was responsible for numerous prize-winning building designs over a long career. As part of a collaborative effort among a multinational team of leading architects, he was appointed to plan permanent buildings for the United Nations in New York City. The Secretariat, a tall, glass-sided slab, is primarily of his design. Le Corbusier died at age 77 in 1965 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.

Bio by: William Seitz