I have written before about Le Corbusier and not being so keen on influence on later architects therefore I could not pass up the chance while in Marseille to visit one of his most famous buildings the Cite Radieuse.

Seen from the front my previous thoughts were confirmed as the building looks drab and ran down. However going round to the back revealed that the building is being refurbished and gives a clearer impression of the original intention.

The pictures of the refurbishment work show the cleaned up the Cite Radieuse has some good points its still not an excuse for brutalism.

The Barbican have a great exhibition on Le Corbusier. For once an exhibition about architecture which is not boring after five minutes as there are plenty of photos, videos, models, drawings etc.  He was also a budding artist though it was pretty derivative.

But how habitable were his designs? Some of the houses look rather good but the large blocks of flat are very dubious.

Block of flats in Berlin by Le Corbusier

Some would say they led to the school of Brutalism that can be blamed for the Hayward gallery etc.

Go to this great exhibition at the Barbican you can decide for yourself – very worthwhile.