The Charter of Athens puts forth the main proceedings from the fourth international congress for Modern Architecture. The charter’s content is centered on the four functions of the city: Dwelling, Recreation, Work, and Transportation. What was most critical for me was realizing that Le Corbusier took part in this congress. I could not help but make connections between the ideas in Le Corbusier’s 1929 book, The City of Tomorrow and Its Planning, and the contents of the charter of Athens. Similar to Le Corbusier’s Contemporary city, the ideal city proposed in the charter advocated for green spaces and better sanitary conditions, while condemning incessant urban sprawl and at the same time extreme density. However, there are a lot of differences between the idea of Le Corbusier’s 1929 contemporary city and the ideal city as proposed by CIAM.
For one, the charter of Athens embraces a context-sensitive approach that takes social, economic, and political factors into consideration. This is in sharp contrast to the contemporary city whose starting point is an ideal level site — a formula which Le Corbusier proposes can be applied anywhere. Additionally, the charter, recognizes the importance of designing for the human scale. It strives for a synergy between the individual and the community. Although Le Corbusier’s contemporary city is aimed at bettering the living conditions of its citizens, its rigid formula does not really account much for individualism.
The charter as well seemed to have a political dimension. It seems that CIAM 4 was initially scheduled to take place in Russia. Given that Russia at that time was under the firm grip of the communist party, I think this fact plays significantly in understanding the somewhat socialist theme of the charter’s contents (also, Le Corbusier had earlier entered a competition to design the administrative center for the communist party). The charter criticizes the unchecked influence of private enterprise and industry in shaping the city. The charter recognizes the role of an increasingly unsanitary environment, brought about by industrialization, in creating inequality. This is somewhat of a paradox since Modernism in America has largely been associated with capitalism. A fact largely enforced by the boxy, glass skyscrapers which have now come to represent corporate power.
Team 10 refers to a group of architects who were part of the 9th international congress for Modern Architecture. The reading shows, repeatedly, that the agenda for this congress was centered around a strong reaction to the proceedings from the earlier congresses. The reaction is described as analogous to the protestant reformation – which was a retaliation to what was perceived as an exclusive and doctrinaire Catholic establishment. In this case, the establishment being referred to was an earlier group of modernists (the attendees of earlier congresses such as CIAM 4), who were overly focused on a rigid and academic approach to architecture. Team 10 advocated for a more creative and flexible approach to setting down a framework for Modernism.
Despite the differences between the proceedings of CIAM 4 and CIAM 9, they both look for an analytical approach to architecture. The charter of Athens calls for ”rigorous analytical studies carried out by specialists”. At the same time, in their Criteria for Mass Housing, Team 10 promotes asking very specific and analytical questions such as whether the building being designed gives the same comfort as a car produced around the same time. I found this aspect very interesting because often times architects are asked to design for programs that seem somewhat arbitrary and subjective. How do we accurately measure how accessible our buildings are? Or whether they are toddler-friendly. I read somewhere that Data is probably the most precious resource in our modern age. With the rise of smart cities and buildings that can accurately provide feedback from its inhabitants, data can be used to design better buildings and cities. Then we might be able to accurately measure whether our built environment is as sustainable as a Tesla vehicle.
Le Corbusier. “A Contemporary City of Three Million Inhabitants.” Essay. In The City of To-Morrow: and Its Planning, 1947.
Congress Internationaux d’Architecture moderne (CIAM), La Charte d’Athenes or The Athens Charter, 1933. Trans J.Tyrwhitt. Paris, France: The Library of the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, 1946.
Smithson, A. and P. Criteria for Mass Housing, 1957, revised 1959.
Smithson, Alison and Peter. The beginning of Team 10., n.d.