Léon Krier’s Architectural Legacy: A Symposium

Léon Krier was a fearless, independent and charismatic figure, who challenged the modernist ideology that dominated 20th-century architecture and urban planning. His writings and humorous illustrations exposed the shortcomings of the modernist ideology, and the destruction it caused on historic cities.
He envisioned polycentric and walkable cities for reasonably-sized communities, with a vibrant mix of uses, public spaces and buildings, and monuments. Traditional methods of construction and natural materials were fundamental to his vision, responding to regional cultures, local climate and identity.

Léon Krier taught at the AA in the 1970s and this one-day symposium explores his legacy. The discussions will focus on his final publication, the ‘missing 9th volume’, a post-script to the eight volumes of architect Le Corbusier’s Oeuvre complète. It concludes, translates and corrects the work of a figure that he both admired and castigated, through a traditionalist and human-centred lens.

Schedule

Session 1: A traditional alternative to modernism

Session 2: Radical counter-projects – a vision for the future

Session 3: Le Corbusier after Le Corbusier – the missing 9th volume of the Oeuvre complète

Session 4: The Architectural Legacy

Accessibility

Ramp access to the AA Lecture Hall is available on request using the intercom at the entrance to 36 Bedford Square, and we have an accessible toilet on site. Please get in touch to let us know of any access requirements that you might have and how we can best accommodate these. If you are unable to attend physically but would like to participate in the event remotely please email [email protected].