Raumplan Versus Plan Libre

This revised and updated edition looks anew at the respective merits of two giants of modern architecture. As well as featuring writings by the architects themselves, the book illustrates the evolution of the work of Loos and Le Corbusier, with detailed reference to their domestic projects, ranging from the Strasser House (1919) to the Last House (1932), and from Maison Domino (1915) to Villa Savoye (1932).

To continue developing existing building types in an intelligent way is a crucial task in the field of residential building. For the success of the individual design, as well as for ensuring that tried and tested structures can be utilized, repeated, and varied, a deeper grasp of the underlying types is indispensable. For this typology of residential buildings, the authors have developed systematic new presentations of the most innovative types. Each individual volume lays out the possibilities for using and transforming a particular form of residential structure. The fourth volume deals with the types of freestanding houses, whose all-around orientation allows for the optimal arrangement of all dwellings. A presentation of the freestanding house as an isolated element and as a building block for larger structures is followed by discussions of topics such as self-sufficiency versus neighborhoods, "Raumplan" versus "plan libre," and individuality versus density. Within each type, variants are distinguished according to type of access, number of floors, etc. The range of possible solutions is presented in uniform ground plans and sections newly drawn to scale.

"In this richly illustrated book, the author explores the ability of ideal cities to stimulate reflection and change, and suggests under what conditions they might continue to exercise their vital function in relation to the urban environment of the future. The ideal cities presented by Ruth Eaton exist for the most part in the virtual domain of ideas, treading the fine line between dream and nightmare." - book jacket.

Pioneering manifesto by founder of "International School." Technical and aesthetic theories, views of industry, economics, relation of form to function, "mass-production split," and much more. Profusely illustrated.