Le Corbusier: Design History and Re-Editions

Design History and Re-Editons

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier)

�1 Cassina and Re-Editions �2 Le Corbusier and Cassina �3 LC Collection �4 Quality of Products �5 Production Techniques �6 Conclusion �7 Bibliography �8 Who is Le Corbusier?

Index

"The present moment is creative, creating with an unheard-of intensity."

-Le Corbusier

Who is Le Corbusier?

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier)

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret or also known as Le Corbusier was born on October 6th, 1887 in Switzerland. One of the pioneers of Modern Architecture, but he not only excelled in architecture, he is also known as a designer, painter and writer.

As many famous architects, Le Corbusier did not study architecture, he studied fine arts and by teaching himself he found his passion for architecture. As a very well known architect, he came up with the idea of “The Five Points of a Modern Architecture�. The perfect example of the 5 points in the well known design of the Villa Savoye.

Young Le Corbusier

His family was very passionate about art, both of his parents were in different fields of arts, and they were influences on Le Corbusier. It was only when he was 13 years old that he left primary school to attend the Arts Decoratifs at La Chaux-deFonds. Here he learned the art of enameling and engraving in watches, he was following the steps of his dad.

It was in Arts Decoratifs at La Chaux-deFonds where he met his “master”, L’Eplattenier. It was with him that he learned about art history, drawing and the aesthetics of Art Nouveau. It was because he was so involved in art that his career as a watchmaker fell through, instead, we see a Le Corbusier wanting to become a painter.

His “master” wanted him to study architecture so it is here when we start seeing Le Corbusier working on local projects.

In 1907, Le Corbusier was 20 and had designed his first house. He started taking trips to central Europe and the Mediterranean. In this trips, he learned from different architects but Auguste Perret being the most influential. Later on moving into the hands of Peter Behrens in Berlin.

In 1917 he moved to Paris and it is here that he changed his name to Le Corbusier. When we talk about Le Corbusier’s works we can see that his architecture was characterized by building in steel and reinforcing it with concrete and using as design elemental geometric forms. On the other hand, his painting portrayed his style in architecture, he emphasized clear forms and structures.

Villa Fallet by Le Corbusier

Cassina and Re-Editions

A company that has been on top of Le Corbusier's designs has been Cassina. Cassina or “Amadeo Cassina” is a company that was created in 1927 by Cesare and Umberto Cassina. The brothers created the prestigious company in Meda, Brianza, that is located in the northern part of Italy. Cassina is characterized for the creating high-end designer furniture.

When we talk about re-editions we define it as “the re-issuing of an older industrial product based on original designs.” When we explain it in our own words it is basically create a piece as similar to the original one. It was in the 1960’s when we start to see companies acquiring the rights to create what know as the re-editions.

Cassina Flagship Store in Milano

Maestri Collection by Cassina

Cassina’s re-edition designs began in the 1960’s as “Cassina | Maestri”, it was an analysis of what different designers intended with the original designs. Cassina has exclusive access to drawings, sketches, prototypes and other documents that were closely analyzed to make sure that the essence of the authors was portrayed in the pieces. Cassina was able to propose editions that show the precision of the artists while also applying innovative technology and materials.

In the Cassina | Maestri we can find the most symbolic and iconic figures that lead the Modern Movement. We find designers like Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charles Perriand being the first ones, later on, we see designers like Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Erik Gunnar Asplund, Frank Lloyd Wright and Franco Albini. The Maestri collection is a mean of expression of the authenticity and values of the Masters, projecting their design with distinction and uniqueness.

Cesare Cassina, Adele Cassina, Umberto Cassina and Franco Cassina in the first LC pieces

Le Corbusier and Cassina

It was in 1964, when Le Corbusier was still alive, that Cassina signed the first agreement to be exclusive with the rights of the re editions of the designer. The work began in 1965 and it is then when we see the first group of models - LC1, LC2, LC3 and LC4 - to come out. Later on other pieces were added to the collection, for example in 2010 we see the LC Collection and in 2011 the LC Outdoor Collection. All of the designs in LC Collection that were restyled

by Cassina followed with accordance the wishes of Le Corbusier and the heirs.

Between Cassina and Fondation Le Corbusier they worked on the reissues of the masterpieces to reconstruct the pieces that were created to contribute in “L’equipement interieur d’une habitation” exhibition at Salon d’Automme in 1929. In this exhibition they studied the relationship of man and space, and the aim was enhancing the coexistence with the balance of movement within a furniture system. Cassina made sure that the re-editions respected the designers aim to make the original icons as authentic as possible. There is a balance between shape and function that preside the simple and essential forms that were calculated with the dimensions of the human body and including the beauty and rationality of being versatile and modern.

LC Outdoor Collection by Cassina

LC Collection by Cassina

LC Collection

The LC Collection or also known as the Le Corbusier Collection since the 1970’s it would have never been what it is today if it wasn’t for the program that Le Corbusier created in April 1927. He would use sketches of humans to reflect where it should be sitting in the designs. It is obvious that there would also not be a collection without the collaboration of Le Corbusier with Pierre JEanneret and Charlotte Perriand. The Italian company Cassina acquired the selling and production rights of the models designed in October of 1964. Later on, it was extended to Europe, Americas and worldwide.

LC Collection by Cassina

LC Collection by Cassina

Quality of Products

When we talk about Cassina’s products it is no doubt that we find quality and prestigious materials. LC Collection is characterized by the wood, it’s hides and the cushions. Cassina’s tradition is based on craftsmanship, it is clear in the products and the choice of materials. When we talk about leather they use full grain leather that brings out the natural properties of it. It has to be perfect with no defects, it is tested and selected one piece at time to make sure that the products have the highest quality in the market. For the LC Collection, Cassina created a new type of leather, LCX leather. This type of leather is more natural and soft to the touch and resistant to the wear and weather, compared to imitation leather. In Cassina they make sure that they use the best products and when it comes to wood the use oak or chestnut making sure that they select carefully the top one and controlling the seasoning process in the workshop

LC1 by Cassina

Production Techniques

It is obvious that a company like Cassina must have top of the market techniques when it comes to producing a collection like Le Corbusier’s. When we talk about metal structures we see that they are plated with trivalent chromium plating (CR3), with the use of this plating process we see an increase in safety when it comes to production and a reduction in the environmental impact. The exposed metal in the LC Collection is not only an aesthetic purpose but also and functional one. The curves that we see in the collection is obtained by a special welding process rather than bending the tubes. After the welding there is a long brushing phase in which it gives it the polished and smooth finishes. All these details make imitations easy to spot. There are some processes that are manual that keep the essence of being unique, the chromium plating is carried out manually. They make the plates thick to make sure that they have the extra strength of the product. It goes through various checks to make sure they achieve superior quality.

Cassina has also experimented in working with wood, with Le Corbusier’s wide portfolio of products they’ve had the opportunity to research into it. All of the products made in wood go through a very elevated and exalt process. One of the main examples is the Tabouret, precision is needed to obtain the results. To obtain it, the wood is worked with the latest machinery in the industry yet adding manual elements that stage the production the work of highly skilled craftsmen.

Conclusion

When we talk about a brand like Cassina and a designer like Le Corbusier, there is no doubt that we are getting top of the market products and a lot of research goes into it to make sure the brand and the collection get the best in production, materials, sales and design. Re-editions in a way bring back the essence of the biggest designers there has ever been. It is important that the brand captures every specifics that the designer had in mind to make sure they deliver the product as equal as the original design was. Le Corbusier is one of the most important architects and to see that his legacy as a designer prevails really inspires.

Designed for the Salon d'Automne exhibition

LC4 by Cassina

Bibliography Le Corbusier https://www.biography.com/people/le-corbusier-9376609 Re-edition Super User - http://www.industrial-design-germany.com/design/re-edition. html Made in Cassina https://www.cassina.com/en/lc-collection/history/made-in-cassina I Maestri https://www.cassina.com/en/collection/i-maestri LC Collection https://www.cassina.com/en/collection/lc-collection Actual Spotti Showroom | Produzione Cassina LC http://www.actualspotti.it/en/produzione-cassina-lc/ Products https://www.cassina.com/en/lc-collection/lecorbusier-furniture Quality of materials https://www.cassina.com/en/lc-collection/authenticity/quality-of-materials Production techiniques https://www.cassina.com/en/lc-collection/authenticity/production-techiniques

Design History and Re-Editons