Le Havre: concrete as the basis of an entire urban centre

Useful to know

The centre of Le Havre was rebuilt between 1945 and 1964 by a team led by Auguste Pere. UNESCO stands out for the systematic use of modular mesh, prefabricated approaches, and concrete capabilities. The plan combines new ideas with consideration of the earlier urban structure. [1]

The question here is how repetition can create order without every object being the same. The module is a common basis for sizes and relations; specific buildings can have different functions. It helps to perceive the center as a connected medium.

When viewed, compare the facade rhythm with the layout of the streets and open spaces. Concrete is not just the material of the individual wall, but part of a general method of construction and planning. This makes Le Havre an example of 20th-century architectural heritage, not an imitation of the pre-war city.