Unité d'habitation Cité Radieuse

The Marseille unité d'habitation, the radiant city was intended to "show the way ahead". Here Le Corbusier's vision for communal living and the needs and realities of post-war France come together. There are communal rooms, shops (also the "Le Corbusier" hotel), a kindergarten, a theater etc., and on some floors "rues intérieures" (interior streets) complete the internal facilities. The "House", which is supported by 17 pairs of concrete stilts - these also contain the supply services - represents a whole town for some 1,600 inhabitants. The basic idea behind this construction was to provide accommodation for many people in the smallest possible area and to leave room for green open spaces. Le Corbusier has nevertheless sought to realize harmonious proportions and forms.