Le Modulor and Modulor 2 [ENGLISH EDITION] (Paperback)

by Le Corbusier (Author), Le Corbusier (Author)
Key Phrases: proportioning grid, regulating lines, double unit, New York, United States, John Dale (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the years 1942 to 1948, Le Corbusier developed a system of measurements which became known as "Modulor". Based on the Golden Section and Fibonacci numbers and also using the physical dimensions of the average human, Modulor is a sequence of measurements which Le Corbusier used to achieve harmony in his architectural compositions. Le Modulor was published in 1950 and after meeting with success, Le Corbusier went on to publish Modulor 2 in 1955. In many of Le Corbusier's most notable buildings, including the Chapel at Ronchamp and the Unité d'habitation, evidence of his Modulor system can be seen. These two volumes form an important and integral part of Le Corbusier's theoretical writings.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Paperback: 580 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel; 1 edition (June 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3764361883
• ISBN-13: 978-3764361884
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #266,754 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Le Corbusier's Modulor l and ll, March 8, 2007

By	Samuel C. Cavallaro (Massachusettes) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The books arrived well packaged and on time. The books however were a little smaller than what I anticipated since the last time I reviewed these same books was at a local library, but nevertheless I was impressed that the books did come in a compacted design. For what better way to show off the design tool called the Modulor by placeing a picture of it on it's very own jacket that comes with the books. You feel as if the whole box set is some sort of handy carpenters tape measure to carry 'round with you.The inside of the book is full of explanatory remarks about perfecting, creating and applying this human scale ruler which incorporates the practical use of what is termed the Golden Section and thereby adhereing it to his/your own building designs. For those of you who are avid Golden Ratio/Section seekers these two books are a great gift idea and a great collectors item.The books also include many letters too from his colleagues who critique and sometimes try to disprove his modular idea, that it really works.I have included pictures to show you the overall appearance of both books and its smart jacket design. Therefore I say an excellant choice and would recommend to college students, Architects, and all those versed in the Arts in general

5.0 out of 5 stars Ambitious, March 28, 2009

By	W. M. Campbell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Le Corbusier fans and students know the couragous contributions this great architect gave the world. Le Modulor is the tool with which he created his great works and belived that this tool is accessable to all. A tool that assists the designer to ensure proportion is always (if not most of the time) correct, true, and beautiful. Le Modular addresses the philosophy behind the tool and discusses the usablity of the tool.

Another excellent book is "Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition" by Kimberly Elam. It is short on words, adequate on images, and terrific at explaining in an elemental way the use of proportioning tools.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit of history..., May 4, 2001

By A Customer

Le Corbusier had been working for some time on his Modulor system using these French decimal measurements but without much success. Then one of his collaborators, Py, said: "Isn't the height we are working with rather a French height? Have you ever noticed that in English detective novels the hero is always six feet tall?" Le Corbusier continues: " We then applied this standard. To our delight, the graduations of a new Modulor, based on a man six feet tall, translated themselves into round figures in feet and inches". (hardly surprising when you consider that this is a natural system of measure.).