Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans
Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans was the first real accomplishment of industrial architecture. It was built and designed by Claude Nicolas Ledoux. His idea behind his design was, “Harmony of the surroundings and the symbolic found in the composition of the ensemble was aimed to shape a society that elevates the soul of its people, creating virtue and collective happiness, while maintaining work as the ultimate value at the centre.” Construction started in 1775 during the reign of Louis XVI The complex was active for at least 1200 years (1780-1962). The complex takes on the shape of a semi circle and was designed in a way to organize work and ultimately the production. The industrial complex includes eleven buildings, five workshops and housing units for workers all organized in a semi circle layout around the House of the Director. When Claude Nicolas Ledoux was captured and taken prisoner during the revolution, he spent his time envision...