Opening-Variations of a Theme

Wall Section With Opening(s):

Drawing of a handle for ceremonial door of Mill Owner's Association Building, Ahmedabad, Le Corbusier(1954).

Section through niche Norte-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, Le Corbusier (1950-54).

Norte-Dame, Cathedral of Amiens (1220-1269): wall system, vaulting and buttressing.

Light Revealed, or, How To Stage Light:

Norte-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, Le Corbusier (1950-54).

"Windows serve to admit light, 'a little, much, or not at all,' and to see outside. There are windows in sleeping cars which close hermetically or can be opened at will; there are the great windows of modern café which close hermetically or can be entirely opened by means of a handle which causes them to disappear below ground; there are the windows in dinning cars which have little louvers opening to admit air 'a little, much, or not at all,' there is modern plate glass which has replaced bottle glass and small panes; there are roll shutters which can be lowered gradually and will keep out the light at will according to the space of their slats." Le Corbusier, Toward a New Architecture (1923/1982).

"a window I made for lighting, not for ventilation." Le Corbusier (1930/1991)

Light Figured

Norte-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, Le Corbusier (1950-54).

Le Corbusier's desk in penthouse, 24 Rue Nungesser et Coli (1934).

GlazingRietveld Schröder House, Gerrit Rietveld (1924-25).

Openings Framed

Norte-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, Le Corbusier (1950-54).

"It is through the doors of

open eyes that looks

exchanged have led to

the flash of communion."

Le Corbusier, Le Poéme de l'angle droit, section D3, Fusion (1955/1989/1990).

Hinged - Neither Wall Nor Opening

Steven Holl, Storefront for Art and Architecture, NYC (1992).

Glenn Murcutt & Wendy Lewin, Arthur & Yvonne Boyd Centre (1996-99).