RONCHAMPBy Le Corbusier

LE CORBUSIER

Born Charles-Édouard JeanneretOctober 6, 1887 La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

Died August 27, 1965 (aged 77)

Nationality Swiss / French (from 1930)

Influenced Oscar Niemeyer, Richard Meier

Awards AIA Gold Medal (1961)

Buildings Villa Savoye, FranceNotre Dame du Haut, FranceBuildings in Chandigarh, India

Born as Charles Edouard Jeanneret onOctober 6, 1887 in La Chaux de Fonds,

Switzerland. He studied at the La Chaux deFonds Art School. His career spanned five

decades and he made significantcontributions to the Modernists or

International Style. He has built works in North

America, South America, Europe and Asia.He died on August 27, 1965 of a heart attackwhile swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in

south France.

LIST OF PROJECTS1905 Villa Fallet, La Chaux de fonds, Switzerland1912 Villa Jeanneret, Paris1916 Villa Schwob, Paris1923 Villa LaRoche, Paris1924 Pavilion de L’Esprit Nouveau, Paris1924 Quartiers Modernes Fruges, Pessac France1926 Villa Cook, Boulogne-sue-Seine, France1927 Villas at Weissenhof Estate, Stuttgart, Germany1928 Villa Savoye, Poissy-sur-Seine, France1929 Armee du Salut, Cite de Refuge, Paris1930 Pavilion Suisse, Cite Universitaire, Paris1931 Palace of the Soviets, Moscow, USSR1933 Tsentrosoyuz, Moscow, USSR1936 Palace of the Ministry of National Education and Public Health, Rio deJanerio1938 The Cartesian Sky-scrapper.1946 Duval Factory in Saint Die, France1947-1952 Unite d’Habition, Marseille, France

1948 Curutchet House, La Plata, Argentina1949 Usine Cluade et Duval, Saint Die-des-Vosges1950 UN Headquarters, New York1950-1954 Chapel Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France1951 Cabanon Le Corbusier, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin1951 Maisons Jaoul, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France1952 Unite d’Habitation of Nantes-Reze, Nantes, France1952-1959 Buildings in Chandigarh, India.1905 Museum at Ahmedabad, India1912 Unite d’Habitation of Briey en Foret, France1957 National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo1913 Masison du Bresil, Cite Universataire, Paris1957-1960 Sainte Marie de la Tourette Lyon, France1957 Unite Habitation of Berlin-Charlottenburg, Flatowallee 16, Berlin

MAJOR PROJECTS

Villa Savoye France 1928

MAJOR PROJECTS

National museum of western art

MAJOR PROJECTS

Heidi Weber Museum

MAJOR PROJECTS

Capitol High Court

MAJOR PROJECTS

Palace of Assembly Chandigarh

MAJOR PROJECTS

Maison Domino

RONCHAMP – 1955 ( Chapel of Notre

Dame du Haut )

HISTORYThe Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut is located in Ronchamp, on the hilltop of Bourlemont. In the middle age, this place was a catholic pilgrimage center dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Chapel suffered a voracious fire in 1913, consequently was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style. In 1944, was bombarded by the Nazis.

HISTORYIn 1950, Le Corbusier accepted rebuilt of the chapel at the request of archbishop of Besancon. The master is touched by the significance of the site, because was a place of bloody battles. After five years of technical difficulties and the constant critic, is finished in June 1955.

INTRODUCTION"Surrealism is a key to other late works of Le Corbusier,

most notably the church at Ronchamp, France, of 1950-55. Notre-Dame-du-Haut was a more extreme statement of Le

Corbusier's late style. Programmatically, the church is simple, an oblong nave, two side entrances, an axial main altar, and three chapels beneath towers—as is its structure, with rough masonry walls faced with whitewashed Gunite

(sprayed concrete) and a roof of contrasting beton brut (architectural concrete left unfinished). Formally and

symbolically, however, this small building, which is sited atop a hillside with access from the south, is immensely

powerful and complex.”

INTRODUCTION• Location: Ronchamp, France• Date: 1955• Building Type: church• Construction System: reinforced concrete• Climate: temperate• Context: rural, mountains• Style: Expressionist Modern• Physical Characteristics:

SimplicityOblong naveTwo side entrancesAxial main alterThree chapelsThree towers4 ft to 12 ft thick, whitewashed, sprayed concrete walls (known

as Gunite or Gunnire)Beton brut roofSouthern facing wall of windowsExterior alterSculpture of the Virgin Mary

SITE

Location: Ronchamp, France

SITE• Approach route of the chapel is from the Southeast .• Chapel is placed at the high point on an East West axis.• The site is high on a hill near Belfort in eastern France

THE CHAPEL OF NOTRE DAME DU HAUT

To the west is located a bell tower,

a very simple composition,

comprising a metal frame holding 3

bells.

THE BELLS

Towards the southern end, and in a lower area of the topography,

stands a rectangular volume made of concrete, that contrasts in both form and color with chapel. This

volume, perpendicular and closer to the access path, contains the residence of the monks and was designed by Le Corbusier in 1953

and completed in 1959. The building, austere and sober, has classrooms, library, refectory, kitchen and cells for monks.

THE RESIDENCY FOR CLERGY

At the northern end a stepped pyramid is

located, built with the remnants of the original

church, which serves as a monument to peace.

THE MONUMENT OF PEACE

The Chapels act as periscopes which establish

contact with the distant horizon. The site that

provided an irresistible genius loci for the response, with the horizon visible on

allfour sides of the hill and its

historical legacy for centuries as a place of

worship.

RESEMBLANCE WITH THE ACROPOLIS - PARTHENON

THE PROGRAM

The program had some difficult requirements: a church to serve a parish of 200, but capable of

dealing with crowds of pilgrims on important feast days (like August 15th and September 8th); two

small chapels to hold services separately from the main Mass; a sacristy; a small office; a housing for a 17th century polychrome wood sculpture of the Virgin and Child; and a means to collect rainwater

as water resources are scarce on the hilltop.

DESIGN THEORIES• Large Embrasures on south wall represent

the Crow (Corvus), Libra Constellation• The upper two tiers of the interior

windows of the South wall as the Virgo constellation.

• That Le Corbusier based his design off of praying hands, a ship, a bird, a nuns cowl.

• Le Corbusier superimposed Ronchamp II over Ronchamp I.

THE DESIGNPLAN OF

THE CHAPEL

ALTAR

CHOIR

THE MAIN ENTRANCE ( SOUTH )

The door itself has a painting by Le Corbusier. Door panels consist of open hand, star, pyramid, meandering river, rain, and clouds. Each door consists of eight panels. Pivoting door on center. Red and blue symbolize opposites

DOOR DECORATIONS

Other elements in the access are two small concrete blocks that form a virtual frame. 

The billowing roof of concrete was planned to slope toward the back, where a fountain of abstract forms is placed on the ground. When it rains, the water comes pouring off the roof and down onto the raised, slanted concrete structures, creating a dramatic but natural fountain.

WATER COLLECTION

THE LIGHT FROM HEAVENS SHINING

OVER THE CHAPELS

CONFESSIONALS

BACK ENTRANCE ( NORTH )

The most striking features of the facade are the two chapels flanking the secondary access: both are symmetrically arranged around the axis of the door. However, their curved shape invite to access to the interior.

The complex shapes at Ronchamp start from a theme of acoustic

parabolas, playing a practical role on the east wall to reflect the sound

from the outside altar for the pilgrims gathered on the hill.

EXTERIOR ALTAR

EAST ENTRANCE

Curved wall on the South wall directs visitors up and to the entrance.

Le Corbusier made use of curved surfaces of reinforced concrete to generate a form that is bold and organic. Since its construction, the building has

evoked poetic notions in the mind of the visitor observing the play of light and shadow on different surfaces

• Le Corbusier was given free reign to create a total work of art, the way he liked it.• The south and east walls act as receptors for the majority of sunlight that entersthe chapel through the gap between the roof and the vertical surfaces in an attempt tobreak the static nature of the enclosed interior space, whereas the north and west walls act as containers that define the sacred from the profane in a manner that removes anyimmediate connection with the outside environment. • The slope of the floor follows the natural slope of the hill, and slopes towards the alter.• Towers are stone masonry topped with cement domes• Concrete roof is the shell (idea came from crab shell on beach when he was visiting

Nivolas. He imagined its curved strength)

Sculpture of the

Virgin MaryThis wooden sculpture is placed in a high niche. Above the plain altar, the east wall is punctuated by several pinhole-windows and by

a single substantial window with the Madonna and Child in silhouette; through the window this image also serves the outside

altar used during pilgrimages.

The interior of the chapel is modest, with plain pews down the south side only. The walls curve, the roof curves, and even the floor curves down towards the altar,

following the shape of the hill.

“The shell has been put on walls which are absurdly but practically thick. Inside them however are reinforced concrete columns. The shell will rest on these

columns but it will not touch the wall. A horizontal crack of light 10cm wide will

amaze.”

PLAY OF LIGHT

The south wall which is punctuated with deep splayed windows of variable sizes and in some cases fitted with colored glass.

The chambers within this thick wall are splayed and tapered to delay and trap

passing light, making each void inwardly strategy excludes sky glare

stabilizing incoming light and creates a contemplative luminous environment.

Corbusier has been able to use the light of the sun in a most articulate way, expressing the daily life of the sun as its light, thereby glorifying the creator of it. Walls become dark as light streams from their openings with great intensity. While light brought from above the private chapels is soft and comforting, one might feel a certain sense of unrest due to the power of the light entering through specific

The embrasures also have a seasonal rhythm; their openings adjusted in section to intercept high summer sun, while letting low angles of winter sun penetrate through the width of the church.

DAYLIGHT FACTOR SIMULATIONS

STRUCTUREThe structure is made mostly of concrete and is comparatively small, enclosed by thick walls, with the upturned roof supported on columns embedded within the walls.

ROOF FRAMINGA. 6 cm concrete shell.B. 10 x 30 cm cast in place lowerbeams.C. 17 cm thick girders.D. 5 x 27 cm pre cast upper roofbeams.E. Roof deck 4 cm thick.F. Scupper for rainwater drainage.

The main structural system in the chapel is composed of reinforced concrete that has been used to construct the required framework for the building. It has been filled with stone recovered from the ruins of the old chapel. The roof is composed of two membranes, each of which acts as a thin shell separated by a gap of 2.26 m conforming to the modular proportion.

G. 15 cm concrete pylons and 40 x 15cm beams.H. Reinforced concrete columninside wall.I. Girder bearing on column.J. Masonry walls.K. The only exposed column.

A. Aluminum roof covering.B. 4 – 5 cm cement gunite covering.C. Metal framework of paralleltrusses.D. Rotating joint.E. Trussed pylon.

A. Precast concrete window frame.B. Lead glazing compound.C. Glass.D. Plaster on wire mesh covering precastconcrete and stone.E. Rubble wall.

A. Truss section.B. 15/10 mm enameled sheet metalpanels.C. Typical truss cord, 2 30x20x4 mmangles.D. 2 30x20x4 mm face angles.E. Horizontal truss members from30x20x4 mm angles.F. Joint with mastic fasteners and leadwashers.G. Pivot,H. Base trim panel.I. Frameless glass.J. Concrete frame.K. Metal end panel.

Some pictures of the Chapel while under construction in the early 1950’s.

CONSTRUCTION

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ENHANCE THE RELIGIOUS FUNCTION

Simplicity- The chapel appears completely organic both in form and in materials. Notre Dame Du Haut lacks any obvious attempts at accentuating geometry. The materials are left in the raw and allowed to age naturally. The simplicity of form gives the chapel the feel of sculpture.

Lack of ornate detail allows the building to completely exist as a religious space without any distractions to pilgrims and worshippers. Lacking mass-produced materials the structure is pure and simple exemplifying the desired way of life for those who came to the chapel.

Beton Brut Roof-It is said that the smooth curve of the roof is symbolic of praying hands.

South Facing Wall of Windows-Light has been a long time symbol of religion. Gothic Architecture took this concept to the extreme considering light one of the most important elements of any religious structure. Light gives the space an ethereal quality.

Sculpture of the Virgin Mary-

BIBLIOGRAPHY• http://

architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/search?q=LE+CORBUSIER%3A+CHAPEL+OF+NOTRE-DAME-DU+HAUT%2C+RONCHAMP

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_du_Haut• http://

www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbc-search.cgi?search=building&building=Notre+Dame+du+Haut

• http://elplanb-arquitectura.blogspot.com/search?q=Le+Corbusier%27s+Ronchamp+Chapel

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronchamp• http://

architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/search?q=RENZO+PIANO%3A+MONASTERY+IN+RONCHAMP

• http://openbuildings.com/buildings/grid?keyword=Notre+Dame+du+Haut• http://nixpixmix.blogspot.com/search?q=RONCHAMP+CHAPEL+-+FRANCE• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Corbusier• http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ronchamp/• http://www.archdaily.com/84988/ad-classics-ronchamp-le-corbusier/• http://everything2.com/title/Notre+Dame+Du+Haut

• Wallfahrtskirche „Notre Dame du Haut“ in Ronchamp• Notre-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp:A Symbol of Vatican II• THE CHAPEL AT RONCHAMP AND THE FREE PLAN• A STUDY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL LIGHT IN SELECTED

BUILDINGS DESIGNED BY LE CORBUSIER, LOUIS I. KAHN AND TADAO ANDO

• Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp• A study on the Phenomenon of Light• GEOMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF FENESTRATION

ARTICLES

THE END