Chandigarh, Oct.31 Chandigarh has dedicated a research center to Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect who designed the city in the 1950s.
The center has been named as `Le Corbusier Museum and Research Centre'. It is the sixth such center in the world, and the second in India after a museum in Gujarat?s Ahmedabad.
Old Architects' building in Chandigarh's Sector 9, which was the office of Le Corbusier, has now been converted into a research center, after being renovated recently.
?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 with his friends and colleagues in this building. 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.
Now people can gain first hand knowledge of his designs, maps and original works at the centre dedicated to him.
The centre has been divided into different sections where the archival records, various documents, plans, elevations, sketches and studies and photographs have been kept.
The research section of the centre has painted materials, publications, posters, archival records, reference and a digital library.
The structure's exclusivity of being designed by Corbusier himself is an attraction among foreigners.
?The paper work is interesting and well laid out with trial, which show the way he worked out. He was engaged with a very interesting contract,? said Graham Stephens, an Australian tourist.
The museum, which is housed in an adjoining building, is an attraction for students and scholars from all over the world to come and do research on his work.
The museum also has furniture, small carpets and other related things, either used by Le Corbusier or created in his time.
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.
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)
