Plate G1. no4: The Lower Church: Monastery of Sainte Marie de la Tourette (1953-61), nr. Lyon (France) by Le Corbusier.

I stayed at Corbusier’s La Tourette Monastery for a week, in early 1990s, as volunteer tutor on a study trip with the Mackintosh School of Architecture.

I recall the predominant feeling at the time: of being perpetually overwhelmed. Subsequently, I have been able to digest this building, to get beyond the imposition of its architectural authority, and to reap comprehension of its myriad complexities.

This dawning of cognition is most welcome, and only adds to certain profound memories retained from the visit, notably of this particular space: The Lower Church. It is nothing, really: on plan, an ear inspired curve; walls, unadorned concrete; rooflights, painted purely in primary colours – and yet, combined, this one small space continues to resonate untrammelled: as one of the most incredible spaces I’ve ever seen.