History, Theory of Architecture and Communication

PDE1710 – History, Theory of Architecture and Communication 

PROJECT BRIEF 2

A CRITICAL ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS OF VILLA SAVOYE BY LE CORBUSIER – FUNCTIONALITY, STRUCTURE, GEOMETRY, EXPRESSIVITY

A manifesto of Le Corbusier's “five points" of new architecture, the villa is representative of the bases of modern architecture, and is one of the most easily recognizable and renowned examples of the modernist international style.

You are required to write a 2000-word maximum illustrated critical evaluation of the design, geometry and application of the 5 principles of Le Corbusier’s Architecture for his landmark Villa Savoye (Poissy), including the creation of the potential EIR brief for this project (4-5 pages writing supplemented by explanatory drawings and images).

The report will analyse the following ideas (not necessarily in below order):

1. Structural Analysis

2. Functional Analysis (circulation, day-time spaces, night-time spaces, private space, services space, etc.)

3. Geometry Considerations (golden ratio, Modulor)

4. Analysis of Le Corbusier’s 5 points towards a New Architecture

5. Create imaginary EIR for this building

PDE1710 – History, Theory of Architecture and Communication Mihaela Niculita

Project Deliverables:

1. Written analysis of the first 4 points above (identify/ present the design characteristics for

each point and how design intentions meet Le Corbusier’s philosophy as illustrated in

‘Towards a New Architecture’ and ‘5 points towards a New Architecture - 1926’)

2. Analysis of the Golden ratio and the Modulor use specific to this building

3. 2 Manual perspectives

4. Create the EIR for this project

5. 2 Digital drawings (1 main floor plan and 1 main elevation in Revit or AutoCAD)

Criteria for grading

1. Study the design brief, the functionality, organisation in plan and analyse the structural and

decorative details specific for the Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier.

2. Show an understanding of the process of design, of the importance of geometry in devising

the plan and building’s volumetry and of Le Corbusier’s philosophy and the way he

implemented it.

3. Show clarity of narrative and explanations; use of the right technical terminology for

relevant details.

4. Show consistency of style, professional presentation; relevance and quality of illustrations;

citations in Harvard referencing throughout.

5. Demonstrate skill in communicating your ideas through the use of sketching, photography

and use of plans, elevations and sections.

6. The Report will be submitted on Turn-It-In (Moodle) in PDF format.

7. The Report to include a Cover Page with: project title, university logo, module name and

number, university name, tutor name, student name and number, date.

8. The Project to include a Table of Contents following the Cover Page.

9. All pages to be numbered and all titles to relate to the Table of Contents.

10. Paragraph line spacing 1.5 and font in minimum size 11

11. Suggested chapter titles:

a. Introduction (introduce topic, why you are researching it (objectives) how you

intend to do that, summary of how the report is divided up or scope of research)

b. Villa Savoye - Importance (present Villa Savoye in the context of Le Corbusier body

of work)

PDE1710 – History, Theory of Architecture and Communication Mihaela Niculita

c. Structural Analysis (present the structural design, the geometry of the structure,

the reasons behind it, etc.)

d. Functional Analysis (present the functionality of Villa Savoye: circulations, day/night

spaces, private/semi private/service spaces, etc.)

e. Geometrical Considerations (introduce Le Corbusier philosophy on the importance

of geometry, the golden ratio/ section and the Modulor and how are these used to

determine the plans and the facades of Villa Savoye)

f. Le Corbusier’s ‘5 Points’ (introduce Le Corbusier 5 points towards a New

Architecture and demonstrate how Villa Savoye responds to this ideology)

g. Project EIR (Employer Information Requirements)

h. Conclusion (summary of report and what are your learnings)

i. References (conforming to Harvard Style of Referencing – reference images as

well)

j. Appendix (include here all extra material)

12. Project 2 requires a Draft Submission on 5th of April covering all suggested chapters and the

final submission on 17th of May 2017

Mandatory reading

Le Corbusier - Towards a New Architecture

Le Corbusier - ‘5 points towards a New Architecture - 1926’

Suggested links

Villa Savoye Analysis

http://arch1201designstudio3.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/project-2-villa-savoye.html

Villa Savoye Analysis – video – English subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUOs25-LbE

Villa Savoye in 3D - video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsIO0gna0M8

The use of golden ratio in architecture (including Savoye) - commentary

https://canukeepup.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/120/

Student analysis Villa Savoye (see also Proportions section)

http://lauraliuarch1201.blogspot.co.uk/

Structural /Geometrical /Circulation Analysis of Villa Savoye (see also Geometry section)

PDE1710 – History, Theory of Architecture and Communication Mihaela Niculita

http://aranarch1201.blogspot.co.uk/2011_05_01_archive.html

The Modulor proportions in Le Corbusier’s work – Slide presentation (see also Villa Savoye)

http://www.slideshare.net/anikets1234/le-modulor-final

The Modulor and proportions of Villa Savoye

http://www.slideshare.net/anikets1234/le-modulor-final

EIR introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwMe2cM8t_M

EIR sketch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-ksxq6zqI

BIM Acronyms explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHMPkJkHZAY