Cubism originated in France in the early 20th century and aimed to represent objects from multiple viewpoints simultaneously, often using simple geometric shapes and a restricted color palette. Despite initial rejection by the public, it influenced architectural design, leading to the creation of modernist buildings that incorporate cubist principles, such as modularity and prefabrication. Notable figures like Le Corbusier utilized cubist ideas in their work, exemplifying them in iconic structures like Villa Savoye.