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Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut
Le Corbusier | |
| location | Ronchamp |
| function | church |
| contributed by | Michael_Noordam |
On a hill, this monumental pilgrimage church 'chapel of our lady of the height' (though on most days more frequented by architectural pilgrims than the intended variety) is a dramatic form with the contrasts of a dark roof, deep windows with coloured glass and the white-washed curved walls of rough masonry. Formally and symbolically, this small building is immensely powerful and complex. The heaviness of the walls and roof is misleading. In Le Corbusier's words: 'The shell has been put on walls which are absurdly but practically thick. Inside them however are reinforced concrete columns. The shell will rest on these columns but it will not touch the wall. A horizontal crack of light 10cm wide will amaze.' The place is truly astounding, very impressive.
Breathtaking.
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