Source: all posters.co.uk

Five European cities have the distinct honor of being home to a magnificent Brutalist style, utopian ideal, multiple-family housing complex designed by renown architect, Le Corbusier. These Unite’ d’Habitation are breathtaking in their form and functionality.

Each building has slight variations in style and design, but all remain in remarkable condition some 50-66 years after they respective completion. Some include retail shops or a post office, as well as a nursery school or kindergarten on the upper floors.

Recreation space is provided on the surrounding green spaced site and in some cases on the rooftop – Marseille’s rooftop even has a small wading pool.

• Marseille (1952) = 337 units
• Nantes-Reze’ (1955) = 294 units
• Berlin (1957) = 530 units
• Briey-en-Foret (1961) = 391 units
• Firminy-Vert (1967) = 414 units

Enjoy the utilitarian and visual beauty of these mid-century marvels of European architecture. All have been declared protected historic structures/monuments.

Marseille, France (1952) – Source: foundationlecorbusier.fr

Wading pool area atop Marseille Unite’ – Source: atlasobscura.com

Nantes-Reze, France (1955) – Source: https://dome.mit.edu

Berlin-Westend, Germany (1957) – Source: http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/unite-d-habitation/

Briey-en-Foret, France (1961) – Source: http://corbusierhaus-berlin.org/en/unite/

Firminy-Vert,France (1967) – Source: pinterest.com

Artwork etched into concrete in Firminy-Vert – Source: corbusierhaus-berlin.org

Interested in learning more about Le Corbusier? Here are visual links to three books about him and his work on Amazon.*(see note below)

* A small commission is earned from purchases that are made using these visual links to Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sources:

• http://corbusierhaus-berlin.org/en/unite/
• http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=11&sysLanguage=fr-fr&sysParentId=11&sysParentName=home&clearQuery=1
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unité_d%27habitation
• http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/unite-d-habitation-cite-radieuse/
• http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/unite-d-habitation/
• http://www.architravel.com/architravel/architects/le-corbusier/
• https://www.archdaily.com/85971/ad-classics-unite-d-habitation-le-corbusier
• http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisObjectId=5234&sysLanguage=en-en&itemPos=58&itemCount=78&sysParentId=64&sysParentName=home
• https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/15/le-corbusier-unite-d-habitation-cite-radieuse-marseille-brutalist-architecture/
• http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Unite_d_Habitation.html
• https://www.biography.com/people/le-corbusier-9376609
• https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/unite-dhabitation-and-the-radiant-city