Atomizing the Free Plan

Design by: Alsar Atelier 
Construction Year: 2022
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Area: 53m²


In the heart of the Harvard University campus stands the iconic Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, a testament to Le Corbusier's architectural vision. However, within its walls, an installation challenges the very essence of Corbusian design, sparking a dialogue between his ideals and a reinterpreted, tropical perspective.

Le Corbusier's concept of the "free plan" was a radical departure from traditional architectural norms, emphasizing open spaces and eschewing load-bearing walls. The installation takes this notion to task by transforming the solid cylindrical columns, that are a hallmark of the Carpenter Center, into habitable structural modules. By strategically atomizing these columns, the installation blurs the distinction between structure and space, challenging the very concept of a column's purpose while creating intimate, inhabitable niches.

The Carpenter Center's design was significantly influenced by Le Corbusier's exploration of tropical architecture during his travels of the global south in the early 1900s. The installation pays homage to this inspiration through its employment of low-tech tectonics, a departure from the prevailing brutalist atmosphere of the building. The juxtaposition of these low-tech elements against the concrete surroundings offers a refreshing contrast and highlights the continued relevance of sustainable, contextually appropriate design.

At the heart of the installation's concept lies Valerie Fraser's influential article, "Cannibalizing Le Corbusier: The MES Gardens of Roberto Burle Marx." Just as Roberto Burle Marx reinterpreted and "cannibalized" modernist principles for his MES Gardens, this installation serves as a critique of the appropriation of Latin American design techniques by the European modernist movement. By challenging one of modernism's fundamental tenets—the free plan—the intervention effectively engages in a process of architectural "cannibalization," reimagining the Carpenter Center's spatial dynamics through a tropical lens.

This artistic intervention not only celebrates Le Corbusier's legacy but also urges a reevaluation of architectural orthodoxy. It questions the relationship between structure and space, form and function, and tradition and innovation. Through its reimagining of the Carpenter Center's core design elements, the installation prompts visitors to consider how architectural ideologies can be both transcendent and localized, adaptable to diverse contexts and responsive to cultural influences.

As visitors explore the redefined spaces created by the installation, they are invited to contemplate the intricate interplay between the architectural past and the possibilities of the future. The adaptation of Le Corbusier's design through a tropical reinterpretation evokes a dialogue that is simultaneously critical and appreciative. It acknowledges the profound influence of European modernism while asserting the importance of recognizing and honoring the unique cultural and environmental contexts that shape architectural expressions.

In conclusion, the installation within the Carpenter Center stands as a testament to the power of architectural reinterpretation. By dissecting the conventional columns and infusing them with new life, the intervention not only questions Le Corbusier's notions of spatial fluidity but also pays tribute to his legacy. Drawing inspiration from Latin American design methodologies, the installation challenges architectural norms while engaging in a dialogue that transcends borders and eras. It underscores the enduring relevance of architectural exploration and adaptation, inviting viewers to embrace the past as they contemplate the endless possibilities of the built environment's future.