Le Corbusier Exhibition, Barbican, London

Not that anyone needs an excuse to go to that marvel of modern buildings, the Barbican …but if you do, you have but a few days to catch the Le Corbusier exhibition before it disappears on May 24th.

This is a great little show that documents the pioneering designer-painter-grand architect’s rather prolific works from childhood through to his L’Unité d’Habitation in Marseilles.  (Shouldn’t everyone have a two-way hatch where the baker and milkman can push their goods straight into your kitchen?)

The only disappointing thing about L’Unité d’Habitation is that there isn’t enough about it in the exhibition.

Indeed we pretty much have this 50s concrete masterpiece to thank for bringing Staying Cool and Urban Splash together four years ago. Arguably the original mixed use development - a term that seems to be applied willy nilly to all development schemes these days - some 50 years on, the building remains one of the most sought after residential addresses in Marseilles as well as a popular destination for tourists and a favourite with business people seeking somewhere stylish for a short stay. Do go if you’re down that way.

Serviced apartments, like some of those in L’Unité are a relatively new concept in Britain but are well established abroad. These are what we’ve been creating in partnership with Urban Splash - ever since we bought our first shell apartment in Manchester. Urban Splash design with Staying Cool style.

Our inspirational architect would surely approve of that. Non?