The building originally served as the headquarters for the Capital Project Office during the initial phase of Chandigarh's construction.
The structure was designed by Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier’s cousin and long-term collaborator.
It is often referred to as the 'Old Architect Building' by locals and city planners.
The museum holds a collection of Le Corbusier's personal artifacts, including his signature spectacles and pipe.
The building was restored and converted into a museum by the Chandigarh Administration to commemorate the city's 50th anniversary.
The exhibits include a detailed display on the 'Chandigarh Project,' which was an unprecedented urban design effort in post-independence India.
The Le Corbusier Centre is located in the former office where architect Le Corbusier and his team worked during the planning and construction of Chandigarh. The facility houses historical archives, original sketches, photographs, and models that document the creation of the city. The building was designated a heritage site to preserve the working environment of the team that designed the modernist capital. It functions as a specialized museum focusing on the transition from the city's inception to its current urban form. The site includes curated displays of correspondence, furniture designs, and blueprints relevant to the city's master plan. It is one of the few museums worldwide dedicated specifically to the work and legacy of Le Corbusier in the context of Indian urbanism.
The minimalist, geometric staircase and the preserved interior drafting room.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Open Hand Monument to better understand Le Corbusier's urban philosophy.
Inquire at the front desk about guided tours, which are often available for groups interested in architectural history.
Focus on the original furniture prototypes, as they demonstrate the intersection of modernist design and local material constraints.
Do not mistake this for the Capitol Complex, which houses the major administrative buildings; this is a separate, smaller heritage site.
Closed on Mondays and national public holidays.
