How did ancient Greek sites influence Le Corbusier’s ideas about proportion?

During his formative travels through the Mediterranean between 1907 and 1911, Le Corbusier visited various ancient sites of Greece, where he discovered the principles of classical proportion. This experience was instrumental in shaping his architectural philosophy, leading him to seek a balance between functionalism and the aesthetic harmony found in classical forms.12

His interest in these proportions eventually culminated in the development of the Modulor, an additive proportioning system based on human measurements and the golden ratio. By applying this mathematical scale to his projects, such as the Cité Radieuse in Marseille, Le Corbusier sought to integrate the mathematical rigor he observed in classical architecture with the needs of modern, functional design.34