Marseille, Cite Radieuse (Unite d’Habitation, Le Corbusier, Marseille)

Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell began collaborating while studying at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1977. Their work investigates the social, political, visual and physical influence of architecture and seeks to tease out the 'agendas' behind building design. Their art takes in film, digital media, sculpture, installation and full-size architectural projects.

Marseille, Cite Radieuse is a representation of Le Corbusier's 'Radiant City' a housing block seen as a key inspiration for Brutalist architecture. Langlands and Bell's interest stems from the tension between the architect's vision for communal living and the dehumanising reality of many Brutalist developments: "long rows of identical units, which may seem more reminiscent of the mechanical order of the production line than indicative of a future Utopian city".

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Medium	mixed media
Date	2001
Dimensions	1020mm x 2000mm x 100mm
Acquisition Number	SOTAG : 2004/9
Credit Line	Acquired from Seth Stein Architects, London through the Smith Bequest Fund with a contribution from the National Art Collections Fund and additional support from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.