Building for Power

Architecture and power have always been mutually drawn to each other. Monumental buildings make authority visible and strengthen the collective identity of those involved. In return, architects receive major commissions, fame, and the lasting impact of their designs. Throughout history, this symbiosis has produced structures that impress and, at times, even terrify. Monumental dimensions, symmetrical axes, and the formal language of antiquity are typical stylistic elements of buildings designed for power.

Le Corbusier (1887–1965) sought major commissions throughout his life. Especially during the interwar period, he proposed projects whose architecture aimed at a reorganization of society—and, in his search for potential clients, repeatedly failed to maintain a critical distance from fascism. His urban visions and large-scale projects are both fascinating and unsettling. In this way, Le Corbusier joins a controversial architectural tradition that extends into the present day.