1. School of Architecture, Building and Design
Bachelor of Science (Honours)(Architecture)
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism [ARC2224]
Project 1
Theorizing Architecture
Part 1 Stage 1
Group Members: Christiody Lim 0304191
Nicole Lim Xu Teng 0307814
Soh You Shing 0308010
Tutor: Dr. Lakshmi Priya Rajendran

2. Architect: Le Corbusier
Theory: Modern Architecture Theory
Defined Area: SS15, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Description
SS15 is a popular and vibrant commercial and residential enclavelocated in Subang
Jaya. It is one of the most well-known commercial centres and education hubs in
Klang Valley.
The neighbourhood of SS15 comprises both commercial and residential areas. The
residences are mainly 2-storey terrace houses, which were completed back in 1988.
In addition, there are two medium-rise apartments, namely My Place Apartment and
Pangsapuri Apartment, a high-rise serviced residence called Menara Rajawali and
twohigh-rise officebuildingssuchas Subang Square and First Subang. Subang Square
is centrally located at the heart of SS15.
There are plenty of amenities in SS15, such as education centres, education
institutions,banks,cafesand eateries.Itistheinternationallyrenownededucationhub
of Subang where there are several universities, colleges and private institutionswhich
include Taylor's College, INTI University College and Alfa College, are nestled within
the enclave.
Adding to that, SS15 is surrounded by many amenities. Just across the street, there is
Subang Jaya City Centre (SJCC) in SS16 which comprises Carrefour Subang, Empire
Subang, Subang Avenue and Subang Parade. Also, it is merely 2 km from Sunway
Pyramid and Sunway Integrated Resort City. Right beside SS15, there are Subang Ria
Park and Sime Darby Medical Centre(SDMC) in SS12.
SS15 is easily accessible via Federal Highway and New Pantai Expressway (NPE).
Besides that, it is near to Shah Alam Highway (KESAS) and North Klang Valley Elevated
(NKVE) accesses. It is just minutes away from the townships of Petaling Jaya such as
Bandar Sunway, Kelana Jaya, Ara Damansara and Bandar Utama.

3. Overview of defined area

4. Photos on Site
Subang Square
First Subang

5. Pangsapuri Apartment
My PlaceApartment

6. Residential Area
Sri Kuala Lumpur School

7. Taylor’s College
INTI International College

8. Menara Rajawali
Shophouses

9. Biography of Le Corbusier
Born October 6, 1887 / La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died August 27, 1965 (aged 77) / Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
Nationality Swiss/French
Work/Buildings Villa Savoye, France
Notre Dame du Haut, France
Buildings in Chandigarh, India
Charles-ÉdouardJeanneret,whochosetobeknownasLe Corbusier wasaSwiss-born
French architect, designer, urbanist, writer and painter. He was one of the pioneers of
what now is called Modern architecture or the International style.
He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in his thirties. His career
spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout central Europe,
India, Russia, and one each in North and South America.
He was a pioneer in studies of modern high design and was dedicated to providing
better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. Later commentators
criticized Le Corbusier's plan, “Plan Voisin, France” to raze part of Paris and replace it
with a grid of towers as soulless and arrogant. However, his outstanding innovations
have influenced every generation of architects that followed him.
Le Corbusier adopted his pseudonym in the 1920s, allegedly deriving it in part from
the name of a distant ancestor, "Lecorbésier".
He was awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal and AIA Gold Medal in 1961.
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret
Le Corbusier

10. Understanding on Le Corbusier’s Theory
1. Le Corbusier insisted that all measurement, all ventilating standard, all lighting, all
equipment and appliances, and all the domestic aesthetic should be the same for all
latitude and all needs. In 1929, he wrote, “We must find and applymethods…lending
themselves naturallyto standardization, industrialization, tailorization”.
Le Corbusier believed that in order for a city environment to be made much
disciplined, people should live up the standardized norms of construction.
2. One of Le Corbusier's central design theme was strict separation of societal
functions. There would be separate zones for workplaces, residences, shopping and
entertainment centres, monuments and government buildings. Where possible, work
zones were to be further subdivided into office buildings and factories.
Le Corbusier believed that different amenities or programmes have to be zoned or
separated in order to centralize resources and have them properly placed in order.
Urban planning in order would promote a sense of harmony in improving people’s
living condition in crowded cities.
3. Le Corbusier's doctrinerequired total centralization. In his cities, a centrallylocated
core performed the "higher" functions. From its offices come the commands that put
the world in order. In fact, the skyscrapers are the brain of the city, the brain of the
whole country. They embody the work of elaboration and command on which all
activities depend. Everything is concentrated there: the tools that conquer time and
space; telephones, telegraphs, radios, the banks, trading houses, the organs of
decision for the factories: finance, technology, commerce. The center does not
suggest much less consult, it issues commands. The authoritarianism at work in this
modernist view stems from Le Corbusier's love of the order of the factory.
Le Corbusier strongly believed his idea of centralization in an urban planning. The
highlight in thecentregivesstrongcommandto thesurroundingsandacts as theface
or image of a particular context.
4. Le Corbusier believed that at the apex of society, there should be a modern
philosopher-king who applies scientific truths for the well-being of all. Naturally, the
king executes his guidance through his master planner, the person who uncovers
these scientific truths. In his book, “The Radiant City” (published in 1933 and
republished in 1964). He explains: “I drew up plans, after analyses, after calculations,
with imagination, with poetry. The plans were prodigiously true. They were
incontrovertible.Theywere breath-taking.Theyexpressedall the splendour of modern
times."
Le Corbusier was dedicated to provide better living condition to the people of
crowded cities. He strongly believed that a well-ordered environment can reunite
people.
5. Le Corbusier’s Planning Principles
The salient featuresof principles of planningdefined byLe Corbusier as studied in the
earlier chapters are summarized as below:

11. (a) He advocated universality in city planning. His planned cities could be located
anywhere, free of context, history, and traditions of the place. The environment
patterns created over the time didn't matter to him, as his philosophywas to treat a
City Plan as a plain piece of canvas upon which a single integrated composition
could be imposed.
(b) He wished that any new citydesigned should be organized, serene, forceful, airy
and ordered.
(c) He was a strong supporter of geometry (grid) in planning and insisted on right-
angled junctions.
(d) He called for standardization of building elements such as doors, frames, roof tiles
and even screws. He strongly believed that the construction standards should be
similar everywhere in support of his idea of context freecities.
(e) He was for strict separation of societal functions (Zoning) and asserted definitively
that the plan is the dictator of anycity.
Le Corbusier had been workingwith elemental geometric forms his entire career as
part of the basic practice. He also put strong emphasis on zoning, standardization,
centralization and organized order in his planning to achieve a well-ordered
environment that inspires harmony.

12. References
Corbusier, L. (1986). Towards a New Architecture. New York: Dover Publications.
Taylor, N. (1998). Urban Planning TheorySince 1945. London: Sage Publications.
Tony Rizzulo, C. W. (2009). Le Corbusier: Architecture, Urbanismand Theory. Marietta
GA: School of Architecture, CET, and Construction, Southern Polytechnic
State University.
Tungare, A. (2001). Le Corbusier’s Principles of CityPlanning and Their Application in
Virtual Environments. Ottawa: School of Architecture, Carleton University.
Unknown. (2015, April 5). Le Corbusier "A ContemporaryCity". Retrieved from
Macaulay Honours College:
http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/milsteinspring2013sandbox/files/2013/0
3/Le-Corbusier-from-The-City-of-Tomorrow-and-Its-Planning.pdf
Unknown. (2015, April 5). Le Corbusier Biography. Retrieved fromBiography:
http://www.biography.com/people/le-corbusier-9376609
Unknown. (2015, April 5). Plan Voisin, Paris, France, 1925. Retrieved fromFondation Le
Corbusier:
http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisO
bjectId=6159&sysLanguage=en-
en&itemPos=2&itemCount=2&sysParentName=Home&sysParentId=65
Unknown. (2015, April 5). Saylor.org Academy. Retrieved fromLe Corbusier:
http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Le-Corbusier.pdf
Unknown. (2015, April 5). SS15, Subang Jaya. Retrieved fromPropwall:
http://www.propwall.my/subang_jaya/ss15
Yadav, U. (2014, January 26). Town Planning Concepts - Le Corbusier. Retrieved from
Slide Share: http://www.slideshare.net/neelabandar/town-planning-
concepts-le-corbusier