4 unités LC - Architecture Insights

I.2 Ownership
The ‘Unité d’habitation’ of Marseille was a fashionable address for
the artistic and architectural community, and has been so ever since
its construction. But although this popularity with certain people
aided in establishing its reputation as “one of the classics of
modern architecture” 26 , it did, however mean that the ‘Unité’ in
Marseille had failed to achieve its social ideals.
Originally intended as a building of HLM (social housing) status,
the government began to sell off apartments soon after
construction in an attempt to recuperate funds, and by 1954, the
building was under multiple ownership 27 making it, in fact, of a
mainly middle-class bourgeois population. This resulting
demographic of the ‘Unité’ was completely contrary to Le
Corbusier’s intentions, and although this may be seen as a failure
on his behalf, it can not be ignored that the fact has aided
significantly in its preservation. 105 106
47-48.Views of an apartment
in the ‘Unité d’habitation’ of
Marseille today (August, 2000).
49. A view of the kitchen in the
same apartment - the original
‘equipment’ of Le Corbusier’s
design has been maintained.
(August, 2000).
The present residents of the ‘Unité’ in Marseille have all chosen to
live there. They have much respect for their place of dwelling, and
several of the residents have formed a very active committee that
oversees all renovation work done to the building, as well as
ensuring its continued structural integrity. 28
Renovations on the building in Marseilles began around twenty
years ago. They have slowly, but progressively seen the reparation
of various concrete faults, the resurfacing and almost complete
renovation of the roof terrace, and the repainting of the
polychromatic loggias 29 – work that has maintained a fresh and
vibrant appearance to the building despite its substantial age. 30