Le Corbusier's Shodan House: My study so far....

I do have love/hate relationship with this building. I'm not particulary a fan of Le Corbusier but I do highly respect what he does. Even after building the model and drawing it a few times, I still can't quite comprehend it!

Below are the model and drawings I've done so far






Not a bad effort I think. Model is a bit wobbly but not in too bad a state considering its had two journeys to Uni and was accidently drop-kicked.

Le Corbusier's Cabanon

Le Corbusier's Cabanon is probably the definition of microarchitecture and the management of microspace. Built in 1952 the space measures just 12 by 12ft and holds the bare essentials, a place to sleep, a place to wash and a place to sit and drink. (Personally for some stupid reason, when I go to hotels, I find it rather satisfying having a kettle and a bed in the same room so I like Le Corbusier's thinking.) It is suggested that Le Corbusier wanted to live like 'modern sensual monk' and liked the little cells that monks lived in. Though to me all this intention is put into contrast when you see there is a door to a resturant. A DOOR TO A RESTURANT. There is no cooking facilities in the Cabanon so the only way to eat is the resturant next door... not quite like the monks then.

When I first looked up Le Corbusier's Cabanon I didn't like the sound of the place. A tiny room with basic crap furniture, thats a holiday home? thats student housing so no thanks. But the more I researched and the more I understand about Architecture, its grown on me considerably. I like this 'basic living' and Architecture that allows ingenious organisation of space.

Because to me, thats what the Cababon is, brilliant organisation of space. Being able to miminlise everything to have what you need and want in a 12 by 12 room must feel like complete freedom.