"Le Corbusier Texts and Sketches for Ronchamp" 1982 Jencks, Charles

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JENCKS, Charles

[58] pp.

Association Oeuvre De Notre Dame Du Haut

1982

Third Edition

4 7/8" x 4 7/8"

Notre … Read more JENCKS, Charles

[58] pp.

Association Oeuvre De Notre Dame Du Haut

1982

Third Edition

4 7/8" x 4 7/8"

Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France, is a seminal 20th-century pilgrimage chapel designed by Le Corbusier (1950–1955). Located on the Bourlémont hill, it is renowned for its organic, sculptural form, featuring thick curved walls and a massive, shell-inspired concrete roof that dramatically alters modern religious architecture.
Key Aspects of Ronchamp:
Design and Structure: The chapel departs from rigid, rectangular, and rationalist styles, featuring irregular, thick white walls and a roof inspired by a crab shell found on a beach. It was constructed using concrete, with some materials salvaged from the previous chapel destroyed during WWII.
Light and Space: The interior is known for its mystical, quiet atmosphere created by irregularly placed, deep-set windows with stained glass, which cast colored light into the dim, cave-like space.
The Site: Located in eastern France, the hilltop site has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The complex includes the main chapel, a campanile (bell tower), the pilgrim's shelter, and a gatehouse partially designed by Renzo Piano.
Significance: It is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. See less