The Limits of Functionalism (1) (1)

8/13/2019 The Limits of Functionalism (1) (1)

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The Positive Limits of

Functionalism

Carmela Bodino

Chris Campanella

Samantha Chow

Andrew Doubelt

Jacqueline Muscat


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Materiality is a positive limitation to functionalism in architecture. Although itrestricts the flexibility of material choice which in turn limits aesthetics andornamentation, it stays true to exemplifying efficient building practices andfunctional design. That in turn provides it with a whole new meaning as itscollaborative members account for its appearance influencing upon it a naturalpersona exemplifying its medium. This concludes for a positive limitation infunctionalist architecture by establishing that its rational choice of building

elements are a product of the truth in which it stands for.

Mater iali ty as aL imitation to

Functionalist

Architecture

Figure 1SIEEB Sino-Italian Ecological and Energy Efficient Building in Beijin, China


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A lack of ornament helps to define functionalism as a medium and acts as a positivelimitation to the way architecture can be designed and thought of. As a result, theabsence of ornament in architecture allows for the presence and expression ofefficiency. The Larkin Administration is one example of architecture that makes useof this positive limitation and its effects can be seen in every element of the buildingsince each part of the building is put to use there is no component that is wasted

and therefore the need for, and idea of, ornament is eliminated.

Eff iciency as a Result

of a Lack of

Ornament


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The intended use of a building involves certain technological, infrastructure, andmaterial elements that can give the building an appearance of rigidness and

artificiality. Many buildings, for example the Wainwright Building and similarmodernist office buildings, were designed with "rational", often linear principles tocreate high-efficiency environments. This limitation leads to the use of simplified butnatural-looking building forms, organization and technology, improving not only itsaesthetic quality but also its (and its users') performance. This reinforces the principlesof the famous "form follows function" phrase by Sullivan. Consequently, more organic

shapes are used by architects to reflect and enhance both the building's use andappearance, as seen in Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum.

Ar tif iciali ty of

Function

wainwright vs. guggenheim


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Social Norms &

Segregation of Space

and People

Buildings designed based on their functional use, have the ability to create andcontrol social norms, as a major positive limitation within the medium. The effects of

the design result in a segregation of space and people, for the purpose of controllingthese social norms. For example, in the Red Vienna public housing project of 1930,cluster walls segregated public housing units occupied by the working class, creatingcommunal spaces within the block, to control social interactions and activities.Communal activity areas, including; eating areas, laundromats, kindergarten andday care, post offices, business offices, etc, were included in the design of the housing

buildings, as an attempt to control the aspects of the inhabitingworkerslives.


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Function & How

We Perceive

Aesthetics

Functionalism in architecture dictates that architecture should be designedwith its function in mind, over everything else. In effect this idea puts a

negative view on aesthetics and ornament. But what if it was actually a positiveinfluence? Function provides us with a new way of looking at aesthetics inarchitecture; changing what we perceive as aesthetically pleasing. Anythingdesigned with functionality in mind will be naturally beautiful. The ZagrebMuseum of Contemporary Art designed by Igor Frani is just one of numerousexamples of functional architecture that can be viewed as aesthetically

pleasing.

The Limits of Functionalism (1) (1)

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