Statement about the Research Content and Process

Description

An assessment of the post-design adaptations of Le Corbusier’s Unité d’habitation, Briey-en-Forêt. In light of its complex post-occupancy history, this ongoing study aims to critically evaluate the idea of architectural success in social housing.

Questions

1. How do we assess the relationship between the architect and the occupant in the context of the Unités?

2. How well has Le Corbusier’s theoretical construct for living sustained itself over a period of 58 years? How do today’s lifestyles and occupant needs relate to his ideas for standardised housing?

3. What kind of lifestyle did Le Corbusier actually prescribe? How do we create a home when a specific mode of living is prescribed by the architect?

4. How do we define architectural ‘success’ in light of changing architectural programmes and occupant alterations, recognising the differences between an artist’s intentions and a user’s desires, and in the context of Briey, drastic sociocultural changes?

Methodology

This project adopts a multifaceted and innovative approach of post-occupancy evaluation, involving library research, systematic drawing, photographic surveys, occupant interviews, comparative design studies, participant observation, community engagement workshops, and an exhibition. This approach is designed and intended to address the architecture, history and social context of the building’s evolution over 40 years through a more rounded and holistic understanding.

Dissemination

The dissemination of the research included one exhibition at the Unité of the author’s new drawings, photographs and two large-scale research books, consultation workshop material and curated archival material; one international keynote lecture in Croatia; four international lectures, including in China and South Korea; one conference presentation in Turkey and one published conference proceedings in Archtheo ‘15 IX Theory and History of Architecture Conference Proceedings.

Project Highlights

This photographic and drawing-based study highlights the relatively unknown history of the Unité at Briey. The author worked with L’association La Première Rue – a collective of artists and architects formed to protect the Unité – to conceive and realise a significant piece of post-occupancy evaluation. Although dismissed by many as a failed project by Le Corbusier, the degree of adaptation and sense of community observed suggests that the criteria of ‘success’ in architecture be reconsidered.

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4 A photographic study of Briey’s staircases. The stairs in Le Corbusier’s buildings were integral to the overall architectural feel. Many have since been destroyed, sold at auction or ‘hacked’, as depicted in this comparison study. 5 All of the Unités have casts of a man – the Modulor – and a series of relief patterns that reflect Le Corbusier’s ‘ideal’ measurements on their entrance walls. The Modulor was realised as a more simplified figure for Briey, in comparison to the other Unités.

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6 Briey’s residents often transport shopping bought in the town to the remote location of the Unité using trolleys. These have since become integral to the functioning of the building.

7 The corridors in the Unité are referred to as ‘streets’. Occasionally they fulfil the function of a real street; here, local children cycle on the Première Rue. 8 (overleaf) A newly renovated upper street. Several apartments have been opened up to allow natural daylight into the space. The colours, finishes and flooring merely echo Le Corbusier’s original intentions.