Assignment 4 “Eyes which do not see: Automobile”, Le Corbusier

I have read the Le Corbusier’s writing, title of “Eyes which do not see: Automobile”
My Presentation is going to be the summary of this reading and my opinion with the research related to this topic. Le Corbusier is one of the greatest architects 20th century who strongly concentrated in the development of modern architecture. He was born in 1887 in Swiss. He decided to become an architect during his travel in Europe and after that he designed lots of influenced architecture which affected to the society and the culture, until 1956.He created ‘Modular Design’, which is the result of his researches into mathematics, architecture (the golden section), and human proportion. It is historically form the Greek architecture.

Villa Savoye, one of his famous architectural buildings. It was the culmination of many years of design, and the basis for much of Le Corbusier's later architecture. It also contains the concept of ‘Modular Design’.

‘Eye’s which do not see: Automobiles’ written by le Corbusier. He wrote about the relationship between the standardization in automobile design and the standardization in architecture.
In dictionary, the meaning of standardization is that the condition in which a standard has been successfully established

Then what is the standardization in design?
Le Corbusier mentioned..
- it is matter of logic, analysis and minute study
- It is established by experiment
- It is established on sure bases with a logic controlled by analysing and experimentation
- It is the solution to solve the problem, creating perfection.

He said the Parthenon is the standardization in the architecture. Parthenon was designed by Phidias in Acropolis in 447 BC. In my research it is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, Its decorative sculptures are considered one of the high points of Greek art and is one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. It has been known as many architects get an architectural inspiration from this architecture. Le Corbusier mentioned that the Parthenon is the standardization in the architecture and the architecture operates according to the standard. I think the reason he choose the Parthenon as his prime example of the standardization is that Parthenon was the first architecture which was designed with the concept of modular design.

With establishment of standardization, there are lots of things to concern us such as
- a recognized type face comfortable to its function
- with a maximum output and a minimum use of meaning
- workmanship and material
- words
- forms
- color
- sound

However when once a standardization is established, competition comes at once, and violently into play. It influences the development of design from the standard. In my opinion, it happens because of the people’s desire. Establishment of the standardization means people already have a lot of experimenting on it until the standardization is established, and they try to keep developing from the standard to satisfy their desire.

The motorcar is an object with simple function which is to travel, but complicated aims such as comfort, resistance, appearance. This situation has forced big industry to standardize. All cars have the same essential arrangement but by the continued competition, the design of the motorcar is forever developing. Designers are trying to find not only perfection and harmony, but beauty as well.
I can say that history of the car has started from when people started using wheel, it is 6000years ago. The invention of car was motivated from the horse wagon. People wanted to make something to carry people without animal such as horse and cow. I’m not going to talk about the development of the technology in automobile.However I will show picture here you will see how the design of the car has been developed.

This is the world’s first car.. Mercedes-Benz 1886 it can be the standardization of auto mobile.

Styling of the car design started in 1920s`

Modernism and Mass production start ed at 1940s

1960s ~ 1970

1980s ~ 1990s

Early 21st Century

Future cars

As you can see, the design of the automobile has developed since the standardization is established and it still keeps developing. Automobile is the best example of the design competition occurring after the standardization is established.

In conclusion, standardization is the starting point of the perfection. People develop its function, harmony, and beauty to reach the perfection. I think the standardization is the essential to improve the quality of design, also the quality of our life as well.

The Standardization is the starting point of the perfection..