STRUCTURAL RATIONALISM

SUBMITTED BY :SHREYA BANSALDEEPTI AGARWALHARMANDEEPKHUSHBOO

Rationalism began as a 17th century ideology that led to the Enlightenment, a period in history where reason was the primary instrument for justifying and understanding the “hows” and “whys” of things and circumstances.

In layman terms, to be rational is to be understandable, measurable or definite. Using this as premise, Rationalism in architecture therefore pertains to accuracy in designing and building the height, breadth or depth of a structure.

18 TH CENTURY RATIONALISM : • Emphasize on geometric forms and ideal

proportions  • Focused on being symmetrical, having

accurate measurements of classic shapes, and functionality.

• Neoclassicism was a widespread movement under the rationalist wing. It was established in reaction to the flamboyant and seemingly excessive baroque and rococo styles. Neoclassicist designs were characterized as follows: symmetry, columns that functioned as support, minimalistic design composed of basic geometric shapes, and an overlaid triangular gable commonly known as pediment. 

➜ Structure must exhibit the  three qualities

Firmitas      strong or durable Utilitas useful Tdbtifl venus tasand  beautiful ➜ Concerned with the geometric purity.

Ornamentation subject to propriety he � �argued that many buildings require no ornaments at all. Preferredastylarmasonryandorthogonal�structures preferred astylar masonry and orthogonal structures. �

➜ Columns were working members in the beginning, and that is what they should go back to being.

STRUCTURAL RATIONALISM :➜ The term structural rationalism most often

refers to a 19th-century French movement, usually associated with the theorists Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Auguste Choisy. Viollet-le-Duc rejected the concept of an ideal architecture and instead saw architecture as a rational construction approach defined by the materials and purpose of the structure

““In architecture, there are two necessary ways of being true. It must be true according to the programme and true according to the methods of

construction. To be true according to the programme is to fulfill exactly and simply the conditions imposed by need; to be true according to the methods of construction, is to employ the materials according to their qualities and

properties […] purely artistic questions of symmetry and apparent form are only secondary conditions in the presence of our dominant principles.”

20 TH CENTURY RATIONALISM :

➜ The simplistic form and ornamentation was still retained; the functionality aspect became known as “theme.”

➜ The Enlightenment brought about the Industrial Revolution around 18th-19th centuries. The effects lasted and were carried over to the 20th century, where industrialization became a fad. Economic advancement was no longer associated with brick and wood but with new elements like steel, iron and glass.

LYCEE VOLTAIREBY EUGENE TRAIN

➜ Was focused on being symmetrical, having accurate measurements of classic shapes, and functionality. Thieir building target were religion notably the catholic church in France.

➜ The buildings are arranged around a central courtyard, courtyards to the east and west, and to the north a courtyard for physical education and sports.

➜ Buildings included 47 classrooms and 17 studies, lecture rooms for physics , chemistry , history & geography .

➜ There is a collections room, drawing room, modelling workshops and a library

➜ intended to supplement classical humanities with practical and scientific knowledge suitable for the needs of the neighbourhood.

➜ The building includes four large apartments for senior staff and accommodation for 20 teachers and 20 domestic workers.

➜  The decorations of the building included metal and ceramics.

➜  A marble monument stands in the courtyard of the Lycee Voltaire.

PALAZO GUALINO

-TURIN

• The building is anti-monumental. • It has a flat roof rather than the sloped tile roof

typical of other buildings in the city.• The building has a symmetrical facade with

seven floors on the main front and five floors on the side.

• The identical low-stacked floors and the unorthodox but functionally rational horizontal windows convey a sense of efficiency rather than power.

• The structure is of concrete, with light yellow and green plaster on the facades

• The use of new industrial materials and the design of all the furnishings.

Built between 1928 and 1930 by architect  Gino Levi-Montalcini and Giuseppe Pagano. One of the first buildings of Italian rationalism.

➜ Isolated on the top floor, away from street noise, is the most refined and comfortable work environment-executive office

➜ The "plan type" was structured with a modular series of local rhythmic openings, except the seventh floor where the executive offices were planned. All the statements, including the courtyard, were characterized by horizontal bands legible underlined by the solid line of branded sills.

➜ The use of glass is symbolic: glass was the metaphor of moral transparency of the director and used as a medium of the corporate image

➜ In the evening, the whole building became a dark background with no volume where the windows changed into large lamps.

➜ T

➜The project is surprisingly close to the international style for the functionality, transparency, lightness and simplicity

Thanks!• http://www.ukessays.co.uk/essays/architecture/rationalism-in-architecture.php#ixzz3szN195tN• http://home.sandiego.edu/~dlp/ARRT/k.%20ARTH%20135/5.%20ARTH%20135%20STRUCTURAL%

20RATIONALISM%20F14%20dlp.pdf• http://www.ukessays.co.uk/essays/architecture/rationalism-in-architecture.php• http://www.trust.org/item/20131017121602-orfmt/• ttp://porto.polito.it/2557337/1/2014_Office_buildings_Res_Mobilis_vol3n3.pdf• http://porto.polito.it/2557337/1/2014_Office_buildings_Res_Mobilis_vol3n3.pdf