Campus Architecture, Harvard - Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, 1963

J and I were recently in Cambridge, Massachusetts where I had an opportunity for a brief architecture moment on campus at Harvard University. I could just pick one place to photograph and I chose the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts.

As Le Coubusier’s only structure in North America, this was an excellent choice!

Luckily I had time on the shuttle ride to Harvard Square to scan some great blog posts beforehand describing the architecture of the building.

Description from archeyes.com:

This building is distinguished as the only structure in North America designed by the Swiss-French architect, marking a significant cross-cultural foray into the expansion of modern architecture.

The Carpenter Center embodies several of Le Corbusier’s innovative architectural concepts, most notably the brise-soleil that adorn its exterior. These sun-shading devices are not merely functional but integral to the building’s aesthetic, modulating light and shadow to animate its surfaces. The poured-in-place concrete technique allowed for a precision in form and texture that was unprecedented at the time, resulting in a sculpted and organic building.

The photos below were taken from the east east-facing Prescott St. elevation.

The photos below were taken from the west-facing Quincy St. elevation.

I particularly liked the art studio views, which were visible as you traversed through the building from one street to the other.