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Le Corbusier at his Paris rue N.C. apartment
© ph. Robert Doisneau - FLC/ADAGP.
The heritage dimension is as important as
the innovation dimension for works that
remain timeless.
Q The Le Corbusier Foundation is unique in
the world of architecture and in the context
of institutions that are intended to transmit
and perpetuate a certain type of values.
It is an organization of French law, whose
corporate purpose and operating rules were
dictated by Le Corbusier himself.
In this context, how do you see the
development of the Foundation and what do
you hope in general for the institutions that
deal with the conservation and dissemination
in the world of architecture and design?
A During his lifetime, Le Corbusier created
the Foundation that bears his name, and also
designed its statutes and missions. Our role is
also to think about the future and to ensure that
Le Corbusier’s work does not become a heritage
object but rather continues to inspire
researchers and creators, and is also discovered
and rediscovered by younger generations.
Q Your offices and the Foundation are
located in the splendid Maison La Roche
building, designed and built by Le Corbusier
and a prestigious example of modern
architecture where we find for the first time
the architectural expression of the five points
for a new architecture.
How does it feel to work on a daily basis
inside a building whose project so solidly
represents Le Corbusier’s work?
A Experiencing working in a Le Corbusier
building on a daily basis is both a great
privilege and a great joy. Living from day to
day the research of Le Corbusier on light,
color, openness to nature, is a source of
emotion but also of responsibility for the
preservation and transmission of this work.
This is a feeling shared by the entire
Foundation team!
Q From what we can see, the link between
the Le Corbusier Foundation and the Italian
companies, Cassina for furniture and Nemo
for lighting, is a link of success.
What are the aspects of the Italian companies
with which you collaborate, especially Nemo,
that contribute to valuing Le Corbusier’s work?
A We have a special relationship with
Italian companies, Cassina and Nemo.
Cassina and Nemo are the historical
publishers of Le Corbusier’s furniture and
lighting and I believe we share not only an
attachment to heritage but also a concern for
innovation and modernity. I am thinking of
Cassina’s ecological concern with its
sustainable collection and Nemo’s constant
search to make LC’s luminaires accessible
worldwide and to transmit their history
through exhibitions such as LUCE.
Q In your role as Director, which projects
have the Foundation carried out in recent
years that you are most proud of?
Fondation Le Corbusier
