Ralph Rapson on Le Corbusier

Notre Dame du Haut, in Ronchamp, France, designed by Le Corbusier, 1955.

Color sketch by Ralph Rapson, from Ralph Rapson Sketches and Drawings from Around the World, courtesy of the Afton Press.
"The opportunity to experience firsthand some of the early work of Le Corbusier was indeed memorable. Le Corbusier was and remains one of the greatest modern architects, and he was one of my early idols.
"Corbusier was not an easy man to get to know. I think he was quite contemptuous of most designers. We meta  few times while I was living in France in the 1950s. Once, I attended a gala evening as part of the CIAM (Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne) conference held at his Unité d'Habitation near Marseilles.  
"The rooftop garden was a throng of music, conversation, and lively dancing while stars and city lights twinkled magically. The architect was surprisingly complimentary about the design I was doing for U.S. staff housing – though it was a scheme much influenced by Corbu's own work."  – Ralph Rapson


Convent of La Tourette, in near Lyon, France, designed by Le Corbusier, 1957 to 1960.


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