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Pierre Jeanneret Small Desk for the Chandigarh Project

$40,000
£30,582.42
€35,039.49
CA$56,420.28
A$61,427.30
CHF 32,800.22
MX$741,523.68
NOK 412,357.44
SEK 383,540.40
DKK 261,727.92

About the Item

The perfect little desk in solid teak by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project ca. 1960. Two v frame legs, with two double drawers with aluminum backed finger pulls. A super example in a terrific useable scale. Pierre Jeanneret played a pivotal—though often understated—role in the creation of Chandigarh, India’s first planned modern city. While Le Corbusier is widely credited as the city’s chief architect, it was Jeanneret who stayed in Chandigarh for nearly 15 years, guiding the project from visionary plans into lived reality. Key aspects of Jeanneret’s contribution: 1. Architect-in-Residence Jeanneret arrived in Chandigarh in 1951 and remained there until 1965. His long-term presence meant he oversaw day-to-day development, resolved on-site challenges, coordinated with Indian engineers and officials, and ensured that Corbusier’s conceptual framework was faithfully translated into a functioning city. 2. Designing Public Buildings and Housing He designed numerous civic buildings—libraries, hostels, educational facilities, and administrative structures—that became essential to the city’s fabric. His most influential work was in housing. Jeanneret developed a range of residential typologies for different income groups, all based on climate sensitivity, affordability, and structural simplicity. 3. Climate-Responsive, Low-Cost Design Jeanneret’s architecture embraced local materials and vernacular solutions. Deep verandas, brick jaalis, ventilated stair cores, and orientation strategies allowed buildings to stay cool in Chandigarh’s harsh summers. His designs balanced modernist form with practical living needs for Indian residents. 4. Iconic Furniture and the “Chandigarh Aesthetic” He also created an extensive body of furniture—chairs, desks, loungers, and storage units—crafted from teak and cane. These pieces, originally meant for government offices and public buildings, later became global design icons, recognized for their honest craftsmanship and minimalist elegance. 5. Urban Stewardship Beyond architecture, Jeanneret helped shape Chandigarh’s institutional culture. He trained young Indian architects, advised on landscape and urban decisions, and contributed to the city’s identity as a symbol of post-independence optimism and modernity. In essence, while Le Corbusier provided the conceptual masterplan, Pierre Jeanneret supplied the continuity, sensitivity, and practicality that allowed Chandigarh to take shape as a livable, coherent city. His quiet dedication and deep engagement with the region and its people make him one of the true founders of Chandigarh’s architectural legacy.
  • Creator:
    Pierre Jeanneret (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1960
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Repaired: Sympathetically restored for decades of future use. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Toronto, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU934747548352

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