Le Corbusier, the creator of Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Oct 25 : Le-Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect, who designed Chandigarh in the 1950s has a museum dedicated to his name. Old Architects' building in Chandigarh's Sector 9, which was the office of Le Corbusier, has now been converted into a museum.

Called Le Corbusier Museum and Research Centre', it is the sixth such center in the world and the second in India after a museum in Ahmedabad.

Le Corbusier designed and constructed buildings throughout Europe and India and one each in North and South America. He was an urban planner, painter, sculptor, writer and modern furniture designer.

The research section of the centre, has painted materials, publications, posters, archival records, reference and digital library. The museum also has furniture, small carpets and other related things, either used by Le Corbusier or created during his lifetime.

Now people can gain first hand knowledge of his designs, maps and original works at the centre dedicated to him.

"This is the only center in the world, which has a complete museum because Le Corbusier worked here. Paris and Zurich have their collections, but this city, in itself is a museum created by Le Corbusier. Everywhere you will find his signature and work, "said V N Singh, nodal officer, Le Corbusier Centre, Chandigarh.

"He worked in this building with his friends and colleagues. So it's a good decision by Chandigarh administration to make it a research center. This center could be a landmark in the world," added Singh.

The structure's exclusivity of being designed by Corbusier himself is an attraction among foreigners.

"We have heard about Chandigarh being a planned city. It's fascinating to see such a wonderful job. Its good to see various memorabilia kept here to enable people to understand exactly what happened," said Dorothy Stephens, an Australian tourist. "The paper work is interesting well laid out with trial, which show the way he worked out. He was engaged with a very interesting contract," said Graham Stephens, another Australian tourist.

The museum also invites students and scholars from all over the world to come and do research on his work.

The centre has been divided into different sections where the archival records, documents, plans, elevations, sketches and studies and photographs have been kept.

The principles of design' used in Chandigarh are also explained so that the cultural and heritage value of the city and the contribution of its architect is promoted at an international level.

Corbusier's imagination and creativity has made Chandigarh India's most modern and planned city, unusually spacious, clean, green and convenient in every way. By Sunil Sharma

ANI