Frequently asked questions - FAQ

The Le Corbusier Colour

 

What are the "Le Corbusier colours"?

– 63 unique colours

Le Corbusier has perfectly coordinated the 63 colours of the Architectural Polychromy, making them harmoniously combinable all throughout. All colour shades have a spatial function and a psychological effect.

Le Corbusier created the 63 colours in two collections, in 1931 and 1959. Learn more about it here>>

 

– What makes the Le Corbusier colours so special?

They are harmonious colours of nature. The special thing about Polychromy is that all colours can be freely and impressively combined with each other. The 63 colours of the Architectural Polychromy are selected in such a way that desired colour effects can be easily created, while excluding negative effects from the outset right away.

The Fondation Le Corbusier has exclusively entrusted the Les Couleurs Suisse AG with the distribution of the Architectural Polychromy.

 

How can I recognise original Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colour and products in Le Corbusier colours?

Les Couleurs Suisse AG has been exclusively entrusted by the Fondation Le Corbusier in Paris with the worldwide licensing rights for the Le Corbusier colours. The original Le Corbusier colours and products are marketed under the brand of authenticity Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier. The partner network is exclusive and active worldwide.

You are not sure about your wall paint being a Le Corbusier colour or your design product really using Le Corbusier colours? Contact us, we will be happy to advise you!

 

How do colours by Le Corbusier work?

The 63 colours of Le Corbusier's Architectural Polychromy have been chosen in such a way that the desired colour effects can be easily created. Le Corbusier's colour system conveys information with each colour tone – visual and psychological. The colours trigger emotional and physical reactions, they influence human behaviour and modify the space.

Le Corbusier developed the following principles:

• Colour modifies space.
• Colour classifies objects.
• Colour has a physiological effect on us and reacts strongly to our sensitivities.

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The Le Corbusier colour system

 

What is the Le Corbusier colour system?

 – 63 unique colours

Not all colours are the same – the Le Corbusier colour palette convinces with its extraordinary radiance, brilliance and depth effect. Each of the 63 colours from Le Corbusier's colour system has a historical, artistic and associative background. The colours create atmospheres that go far beyond mere functional requirements. The 63 colours of Le Corbusier's polychromy have been selected in such a way that the desired purely positive colour effects can be easily created.

 

– Architectural Polychromy

The Architectural Polychromy is the comprehensive Le Corbusier colour system for colour design. It contains 63 colour shades that Le Corbusier created in two colour collections in 1931 and 1959. All colour shades have an artistic and historical background and are coordinated with each other, so that they can be combined in any way. They are all characterised by an inner, harmonious and timeless coherence. Each nuance has its relevance and embodies specific spatial and human effects. The Le Corbusier colours cannot be translated into other colour systems such as RAL or NCS.

The Fondation Le Corbusier has entrusted the distribution of Architectural Polychromy exclusively to Les Couleurs Suisse AG.

 

– Le Corbusier’s colour keyboards

In order to recognise his own affinities and select individual preferences, Le Corbusier created, in addition to the individual colour shades, different colour keys with moods that reflect specific colour functions. The combination of colourful and achromatic shades and of different brightness values underlines Le Corbusier's extraordinary experience in architecture and as a painter, which is the foundation of the entire Architectural Polychromy, in fact of the entire colour system.

 

How as Le Corbusier's Polychromy born?

The first attempts of Polychromy mentioned by Le Corbusier in his ‘Œuvre complète’ concern the interiors of the houses of La Roche and Jeanneret in 1923.

Le Corbusier seized the opportunity that the Swiss firm Salubra offered him a few years earlier to publish the first part of the Architectural Polychromy as a wallpaper collection. This was an "oil paint in rolls". It takes into account the different sensitivities of the individual when choosing the colours. The Le Corbusier colour palette is a masterpiece with only 63 unique colours.

 

How do the Le Corbusier colours work?

Le Corbusier developed the following principles for his colour theory:

Colour modifies space
"Blue and its green mixtures create space, give distance, create atmosphere, move the wall into the distance... Red (and its brown, orange and other mixtures) fix the wall, confirm its exact position, its dimension, its presence".

Colour classifies objects
"Monochrome allows the exact estimation of the volumes of an object. Polychromy (two, three colours, etc.) destroys the pure form of the object, alters its volume, opposes the exact estimation of this volume and, conversely, makes it possible to bring to mind only what one wants to show of a volume: whether it is a house, an interior or an object."

Colour has a physiological effect on us and reacts strongly to our sensitivities
"Colour is closely linked to our being; each of us may have our own colour; even if we are often unaware of it, our instincts are not wrong."

 

How is the quality of Le Corbusier's Polychromy ensured?

Products in the colours of the Architectural Polychromy are only launched on the market after approval by the Quality Lab of Les Couleurs Suisse AG. In addition, extensive quality controls are carried out regularly to ensure the colour fastness of each individual shade of Le Corbusier's Polychromy at the licensed partners. Furthermore, the authenticity brand Les Couleurs® Le Corbuiser, the original signature of Le Corbusier, is used to identify the product.

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Payments

 

How can I pay?

It is not possible to pay by invoice. The following payment options are currently avaiblable:

 

– PayPal

Do you have a PayPal account? Then simply pay for Le Corbusier colour design products this way. You can also pay with PayPal without having an account, you just need your credit card.

 

- Credit Card

Take advantage of the simplicity and security offered by VISA, EUROCARD/MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS and PostFinance Card. To process your payment, we need your credit card number and expiry date.  

Can I also pay my invoice in Euro?

For system reasons, you can only order from the online shop in Swiss francs. When paying  with PayPal, the invoice amount is automatically converted into your own currency.

 

How secure is online payment?

We attach the highest importance to your security when proceeding to payment. Of course, your details are only transmitted in encrypted form, so that third parties cannot read them. Your credit card payment is processed by the security-certified partner PayPal.

 

How do I find out the bank details and due date when I make a purchase?

Orders of Le Corbusier products can only be paid via PayPal/Credit Card. Therefore you do not need our bank details. Furthermore, payment is due directly with your order.

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Orders

 

Why can I suddenly no longer find a certain item in the online shop?

In our online shop, you will only see articles in Le Corbusier's colours that we have in stock for you. If you are looking for a specific Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier product such as the Le Corbusier colour fan or the Le Corbusier book of colour keyboards, which is no longer available, please contact us.

 

Do you supply Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier products internationally?

We ship all products from our online shop worldwide. The shipping costs will be adjusted according to the country selected and shown in the check-out. If you have any questions about the shipping costs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Usually, delivery to EU countries takes between 48 and 96 hours (on working days). Would you like to track your shipment? Write us an email and we will gladly provide you with the tracking number.

 

I would like to purchase the wall paint, varnish or other products – how can I do that?

Based on Le Corbusier's Architectural Polychromy, our certified Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier manufacturers, Karl Bubenhofer AG, Keimfarben GmbH and IGP Pulvertechnik AG, produce all 63 unique colours as wall paint, varnish or powder coating. You will find further products such as kitchens, carpets, clocks or chairs in our manufacturer catalogue.

 

Can I also collect my order?

Collection, even from individual Le Corbusier colour fans, is not possible. Within the EU, the delivery time is between 24 and 96 hours, please be sure to note this when ordering.

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Le Corbusier Products

 

Which products are available in the original Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colours?

 

Products in the original Le Corbusier colours range from wall coverings, ceramic tiles, carpets, parquet and vinyl floors, aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades, as well as wood-based building components and acoustic systems, to building services (with light switches, sockets and associated systems). Le Corbusier's colour treasure also refines design and outdoor furniture, as well as variable system furniture and kitchens. Design LifeStyle products in Le Corbusier's original colours round off the profile in addition to colours for various applications as wall paints and coatings for interior and exterior design.

You can find more information in our manufacturer catalogue.

 

How do I recognise original Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colour and products in Le Corbusier colours?

 

The Fondation Le Corbusier has entrusted Les Couleurs Suisse AG with the exclusive and worldwide rights to distribute the Architectural Polychromy and Le Corbusier colours. The original Le Corbusier colours and products are only available under the brand of authenticity Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier. The exclusive partner network is internationally active in the fields of interior design, design and interior decoration.

You are not sure about your Le Corbusier wall paint or your design chair being really in Le Corbusier colour? Contact us, we will be happy to advise you!

 

 

Which colour design products are available?

Sie wollen die Farbenlehre Le Corbusier’s, die Polychromie Architecturale, kennenlernen und mit der meisterhaften Le Corbusier Farbpalette arbeiten. Les Couleurs Suisse AG produziert verschiedene Arbeitsmittel auf Basis der originalen Le Corbusier Farben. Dazu gehören:

 

Le Corbusier colour fan with all 63 colours

• Le Corbusier colour fan: for practical use in everyday life, the fan is packed in a sturdy slip lid box. On each sample card, you will find the colour name and the corresponding number that Le Corbusier provided for each colour.
  ISBN: 978-3-033-06366-2
• Le Corbusier's 3-part colour foldere: With the 3 rows – each consisting of all 63 Le Corbusier colours – extraordinary colour harmonies can be created. The colours have been produced in a complex offset printing process. On the back of each colour card, you will find the Le Corbusier colour designation as well as a description of the shade.

 

Books on Le Corbusier und the Polychromy

• Le Corbusier's colour keyboard: Le Corbusier organised the colours on 14 colour keyboards – "Les Claviers de Couleurs" – in such a way that one can isolate or combine three to five colours each with a slider, the so-called "glasses", and thus find one's personal intuitive colour design.
  ISBN: 978-3-033-06113-2
• - Le Corbusier's Book of Colours and Polychromy: In this book, you will find background information about Le Corbusier, his buildings and his colour keyboards of 1931 and 1959, the Fondation Le Corbusier and the authenticity brand Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier. You will also learn the history of each of the 63 Le Corbusier colours and the corresponding design explanation.
  ISBN: 978-3-033-05574-2
• Several books from the "Call me Edouard" publishing house based in Vevey and Geneva (Switzerland) on art, photography and architecture:
  'Le Corbusier et les reflets de la couleur' by Adrien Couvrat
  'Une Petite Maison de Nuit, ou une mise en lumière de la Villa "Le Lac" Le Corbusier' by Daniel Schläpfer
  'Face à des couleurs' by several authors
  'Alberto Sartoris or the quatrième dimension of architecture' by Alberto Sartoris
  Le Corbusier's Unité d'habitation "Type Berlin" by Bärbel Högner

 

Colour samples of the colours of Le Corbusier

• Le Corbusier colour sample card set: With the removable colour cards, the entire colour palette can be freely combined, making it easy to put together perfect colour harmonies.
• Individual Le Corbusier colour samples: The 63 architectural colours of Le Corbusier's Architectural Polychromy are painstakingly hand painted with real wall paint on robust cardboard. Important information: Only while stocks last!
• IGP-Le Corbusier colour sample box: The Le Corbusier colours are provided as "IGP - DURA®xal Special Edition" based on the proven product IGP-DURA®xal. The fine microstructure creates a matt, velvety appearance.
• IGP-Le Corbusier's colour sample book: The sample book contains small metallic cards in all 63 Le Corbusier colours, which are coated with the original IGP powder coating.

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Les Couleurs^® Le Corbusier manufacturer

 

Which products are available in the original Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colours?

Products in the original Le Corbusier colours range from wall coverings, ceramic tiles, carpets, parquet and vinyl floors, aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades, as well as wood-based building components and acoustic systems, to building services (with light switches, sockets and associated systems). Le Corbusier's treasure of colours also refines design and outdoor furniture, as well as variable system furniture and kitchens. Design LifeStyle products in the original Les Couleurs^® Le Corbusier colours round off the profile in addition to colours for various applications as wall paints and coatings for interior and exterior design.

 

How do I become a Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier partner?

Les Couleurs Suisse AG grants selected companies in design and architecture the exclusive Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier licence to use the Architectural Polychromy and the colour theory of Le Corbusier for outstanding products. The protected brand Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier, with the original Le Corbusier signature, identifies the original colour collection and stands for the highest standards of colour quality and authenticity in market presence. You can find more information here or contact us by email.

 

Where can I buy the licensed Le Corbusier colour?

Based on the Le Corbusier colour theory, our certified Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier manufacturers, Karl Bubenhofer AG, Keimfarben GmbH and IGP Pulvertechnik AG, produce all 63 unique colours.

Le Corbusier wall paints and varnishes for interior and exterior use

Swiss market:

KABE Colours - Le Corbusier emulsion paints & lacquersKarl Bubenhofer AG/KABE offers all 63 Le Corbusier colours as wall paints and varnishes for exterior and interior use. Sales are made exclusively to licensed paint shops. The sale to private persons is not possible.
For colour advice and colour enquiries in Switzerland, please contact our partner Karl Bubenhofer AG directly.

Market worldwide:

Keimfarben offers all 63 Le Corbusier Polychromy colours for interior and exterior use. For colour advice and colour enquiries, please contact Keimfarben directly. Private customers can purchase the Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colour from numerous partners. For commercial customers, direct purchase is possible via KEIM.

Powder coating: 

IGP produces all of the 63 Le Corbusier colours of Architectural Polychromy as an impressive matt powder coating at the highest level. For colour advice and colour enquiries, please contact IGP directly.

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