PIERRE JEANNERET
(1896 – 1967)

Pierre Jeanneret, born in 1896 in Geneva, was a Swiss architect and designer whose fame, although less widespread than that of his cousin Le Corbusier, was established through significant contributions to the world of art, particularly through his modern architectural creations and innovative design pieces.

Graduating from the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva, Pierre Jeanneret moved to Paris in 1921, where he began a fruitful collaboration with Le Corbusier. Together, they played a major role in the modern movement, emphasizing the fundamental principles of functionalism, rationalism, and originality, thus breaking away from a past perceived as archaic.

The duo worked on several iconic projects, including the design of the Plan Voisin, an urban planning project for central Paris, the Villa Savoye (constructed from 1928 to 1931), and the design of the new city of Chandigarh in India after its independence in 1947.

Pierre Jeanneret also made a mark in the field of modern furniture, creating chairs, stools, and modular shelving systems in steel, in collaboration with architect and designer Charlotte Perriand as well as Le Corbusier. His approach emphasized ergonomics and functionality, incorporating balanced lines, angles, and shapes adapted to human comfort, particularly with his famous Lounge (or Easy Chair).

Though often overshadowed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret is now recognized as a talented architect and designer who had a considerable influence on the modern movement.