How did Le Corbusier become an architect without formal architectural training?

Le Corbusier did not attend a traditional architectural school; instead, his education was rooted in practical training and extensive observation. After leaving primary school at age 13 to study enameling and engraving at the École des Arts Décoratifs in La Chaux-de-Fonds, he was mentored by Charles L’Eplattenier, who taught him art history, drawing, and Art Nouveau aesthetics.1

L’Eplattenier encouraged him to pursue architecture, providing him with his first practical experience on local projects. Between 1907 and 1911, Le Corbusier undertook a series of formative travels across central Europe and the Mediterranean. During these journeys, he developed his architectural philosophy by studying:

• Collective and individual spaces: Observed at the Charterhouse of Ema.1
• Classical proportion: Derived from Renaissance architecture by Andrea Palladio and ancient Greek sites.1
• Geometric forms and light: Learned from popular Mediterranean and Balkan architecture.1

His professional development was later refined in Paris through his association with painter Amédée Ozenfant, which introduced him to Purism and solidified his transition into a career as a writer and architect.1