Le Corbusier’s Student Dorms in Paris
While exploring Le Corbusier’s work in Paris, I stumbled upon two of his student dormitories—unexpectedly open to the public. Each offers a glimpse into his modernist vision, where form and function meet in pure architectural clarity.
I’ve long been fascinated by Le Corbusier’s architecture—his austere precision, his play of light, his stubborn idealism. By accident, I learned that two of his dormitories still stand in Paris. I wasn’t sure they could be visited, but it turns out their lobbies are open to the public for about one euro.
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris – Pavillon Suisse
Built in 1933, the Pavillon Suisse embodies Corbusier’s early modernist purity. Floating horizontal lines, exposed pilotis, and a delicate balance of concrete and glass create a striking harmony. Inside, the lobby retains its crisp geometry and sense of lightness—a spatial manifesto of rational design.
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris – Pavillon Brésil
Completed later, the Pavillon Brésil shows a slightly warmer modernism. The façade plays with vertical rhythms and textured surfaces, softening the rigor of the earlier work. Its modest lobby preserves Corbusier’s signature clarity but hints at a more human, almost contemplative atmosphere.
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