Daring and far-sighted

Faced with a shortage of housing that was fi t for purpose, politicians took the courageous step of launching bold schemes to create new social housing. Four mayors signed up to this initiative, bringing together a vision that was both large-scale and long term: Edouard Herriot in Lyon, Lazare Goujon in Villeurbanne, Eugène Claudius-Petit in Firminy and Camille Vallin in Givors. A few avant-garde architects shared their conviction that, together, architecture and modern urbanism can contribute to a better world: Tony Garnier, Môrice Leroux, Le Corbusier and Jean Renaudie. In Eveux, the Couvent de La Tourette was the result of a shared vision between Le Corbusier and the friars Couturier and Belaud and demonstrates a philosophical revitalisation of Sacred Art.