A Typological Housing Design: The Case Study of Quartier Fruges in Pessac by Le Corbusier

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the methods of form production in Le Corbusier's housing design from a typological point of view and to explore his composite principles of rational housing. Specifically, this paper looks at how Le Corbusier produced spatial variety and unity by applying composite principles to housing design and production. We will take the Quartier Fruges housing project in Pessac as a case study. Here Le Corbusier applied his cellular concept to housing, creating a new typology that first appeared in sketches for this project. Le Corbusier's numerically-based production rules governed the development of each unit's space, while the constructive rules of the housing project's five housing types show how Le Corbusier dealt with the demands of modern housing, and innovated design solutions which can be applied to the spatial design of today's housing. Finally, this paper looks at how Le Corbusier dealt with the spatial characteristics of these five housing types under different conditions. © 2006, Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.