Pierre Jeanneret

Switzerland/France (1896-1967)

Architect and designer Pierre Jeanneret has long remained in the shadow of his illustrious cousin, Le Corbusier. However, he is an early architect of modern architecture with major projects and several cult furniture created in the company of big names of French design such as Charlotte Perriand or Jean Prouvé. However, it was in India that he co-signed with Le Corbusier the architectural masterpiece of Chandigarh.
A graduate of the Geneva School of Fine Arts, Pierre Jeanneret began his career with architects Auguste and Gustave Perret in Paris. In 1922 he joined his cousin, Le Corbusier, with whom he wrote the manifesto Cinq Points. Towards a new architecture» setting out the principles put into practice when the Villa Savoye was built in 1928. On the occasion of the Salon d'automne of 1929, Pierre Jeanneret presents a set of resolutely modern furniture including chairs, stools and modular system of shelves in steel, designed in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Le Corbusier. At the beginning of the 1950s, Jeanneret undertook, alongside the latter, the realization of the Administrative City of Chandigarh. Having become Chief Architect and Head of Urban Development, Pierre Jeanneret spent 15 years in India, where he coordinated the project in all its technical aspects. This last achievement is considered today as a reference of architecture and modern design.