What does 'free plan' mean in Le Corbusier's principles?

What does 'free plan' mean in Le Corbusier's principles?

• A. The building's plan is fixed to the site orientation.
• B. Interior partition walls can be non-load-bearing, allowing flexible arrangement.
• C. There is no interior space division.
• D. The plan must include only rectangular rooms.

Answer: (B)

Interior spaces are not tied to the structure. In Le Corbusier’s approach, the building’s structure—columns and a flat slab—carries the loads, so interior walls need not bear any weight. This is the idea of a free plan: walls can be interior partitions that are non-load-bearing, allowing you to place them wherever makes sense for the program and to reconfigure the layout without compromising stability. It enables open, adaptable living areas and easy rearrangement of rooms as needs change. This is different from designs where walls themselves carry loads, which fixes the arrangement. It also doesn’t require eliminating divisions entirely, nor does it demand rectangular rooms; the plan remains flexible because the partitions aren’t structurally required.

Interior spaces are not tied to the structure. In Le Corbusier’s approach, the building’s structure—columns and a flat slab—carries the loads, so interior walls need not bear any weight. This is the idea of a free plan: walls can be interior partitions that are non-load-bearing, allowing you to place them wherever makes sense for the program and to reconfigure the layout without compromising stability. It enables open, adaptable living areas and easy rearrangement of rooms as needs change.

This is different from designs where walls themselves carry loads, which fixes the arrangement. It also doesn’t require eliminating divisions entirely, nor does it demand rectangular rooms; the plan remains flexible because the partitions aren’t structurally required.