Georges Candilis
Georges Candilis (Greek: Γεώργιος Κανδύλης; 29 March 1913 – 10 May 1995) was a prominent Greek-French architect and urbanist, best known for his influence on post-war European architecture and urban planning. His heritage and education led him to a career that merged traditional Greek elements with modernist principles.
Early Life and Education
Born in Azerbaijan, Candilis moved to Greece where he attended the Polytechnic School of Athens, graduating between 1931 and 1936. During this time, he met the influential architect Le Corbusier, which marked the beginning of his association with modernist architecture.
Career and Collaborations
In 1951, Georges Candilis, along with Shadrach Woods and engineer Henri Piot, became leaders of ATBAT-Africa in Tangier, Morocco. This was a pivotal research center where architects, engineers, and technicians collaborated in an interdisciplinary manner. Though the workshop closed in 1952 due to political tensions, it laid the groundwork for future collaborations.
Candilis gained recognition through his collaboration with Alexis Josic and Shadrach Woods, forming the Candilis-Josic-Woods partnership. Their projects include the design of Le Mirail, a new urban quarter in Toulouse, and Carrières Centrales in Casablanca, which showcased their innovative approaches to housing and urban planning.
Architectural Philosophy and Influence
Candilis was a member of Team 10, a coalition of architects that challenged the ideas of the International Congresses of Modern Architecture (CIAM). Team 10 included notable architects such as Alison and Peter Smithson and Aldo van Eyck. They focused on humanizing modern architecture and integrating the social aspects of living environments into their designs.
His work in Bobigny, a suburb of Paris, in collaboration with Shadrach Woods and Alexis Josic, further emphasized his commitment to low-cost housing solutions, aiming to address post-war housing shortages.
Later Life and Legacy
Candilis remained active in academia, teaching at several schools of architecture in France and internationally until after the student riots of May 1968. He published "Bâtir la Vie" in 1977, encapsulating his architectural philosophy. Candilis passed away in Paris on 10 May 1995, leaving a lasting impact on modern architecture.