The functionalism in architecture is an artistic principle is based on the buildings or architectural works must be constructed solely for that purpose and meets the building fulfills a function. This principle usually generates doubts and problems among the architects themselves, since many times the function is not so obvious.
Functionalist architecture is often seen as an exclusive artistic expression, but architects like Will Bruder or James Polshek have shown otherwise. These personalities have tried to fulfill the principles of Vitruvio that spoke of the beauty, the firmness and the utility of the architectural constructions.
Villa Tugendhat, representative work of functionalist architecture. Source: Vldx, via Wikimedia Commons.
When the First World War ended, there was a great boom in functionalist architecture. The goal was to build a new world that would make people forget the destruction left by the war.
Sometimes this artistic principle is linked with ideals such as socialism or humanism. By 1930 a new functionalist strand was born - especially in areas of Czechoslovakia, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands - which continued to focus the objective of architecture towards functionality, but it also had to have a greater purpose. In this case it was to serve to give a better life to people.
History
Discussions about the importance of architecture in society go back to very ancient times. Perhaps the first reference occurred with the Roman architect Vitruvius when, during the 1st century BC. C., established some principles that spoke of utility, stability and beauty in architectural works.
With the passage of time and with the different artistic currents, architects always chose features that were more predominant in their works.
During the 19th century, for example, architects focused a lot on the style of their buildings. At the end of that time other exponents were against this idea and focused on the function of buildings.
In 1896, Louis Sullivan was categorical in stating that the form of buildings always follows function. But it was not until 1930 that functionalism began to be discussed more normally. There was talk of an aesthetic approach and it was not just a theme exclusive to the use they were going to have.
Functionalist architecture was associated with sparse decorations, although this did not affect the basic principle of function at all.
Many times functionalist constructions were referred to in a derogatory way. The buildings of functionalist architecture were associated only with commercial works, of little value and even stables or sheds.
The Industrial Revolution had a great effect on this architectural style, since it changed the way of production of objects, being manufactured with few details and materials that were made faster and with fewer resources.
Today, many architects claim that there is no responsibility of any kind in the profession. Which directly collides with the principle of functionalism.
characteristics
Modern architecture and functionalism are normally linked, but the truth is that this artistic movement was not born exclusively for the modern era.
On an aesthetic level, the functionalist works do not have major ornamental elements. The decoration is simple and it is usually possible to identify at a glance what has been the raw material used for construction.
An example of this is when steel sheets, pieces of concrete or beams and woods are exposed. The idea is that they appear as they are. But they also served the function of elevating and highlighting modern-age production. For this reason, it is characterized by similar products or industrial production.
What is contradictory about functionalist architecture is that, over time, the absence of aesthetics has been as decisive in these constructions as the functional principle.
critics
The problem with functionalism has always been that it has a totalizing profile. Sociologist Jean Baudrillard explained the negative consequences of focusing solely and exclusively on the function of things.
For Baudrillard the need for human beings does not exist. He explained that it is just a pretext that is used to be able to unite people with objects. The truth is that the function of the object varies, it all depends on the prevailing style at the time.
Especially during the 1960s functionalism was heavily criticized. This artistic principle never took into account the existence of changes at the social level and forgot that there are inequalities in terms of gender, class or race. These differences lead to conflicts with the function of things if it is static.
Influence in Europe
Czechoslovakia (a republic that existed until 1992) was the first place where functionalist architecture predominated. The Tugendhat villa in Brno was one of his most representative works, along with the Müller villa in Prague. The city of Zlín, for example, was born in 1920 with the purpose of becoming an industrial city.
Throughout the country you could find works of marked functionalist style. Villas were very common constructions and apartment buildings, factories and office blocks predominated in the cities.
In Scandinavia, after the 1930s, it was when functionalism emerged with more force, where it was often referred to as a funki genre. Lauritzen, Jacobsen, and Møller were the most active functionalist representatives.
In Poland, the most important impact that functionalism existed was between 1918 and 1939. Le Corbusier and Jerzy Soltan were a great influence on other architects who followed their ideas.
Some of its representatives were also in charge of transferring the ideas of functionalism from architecture to design.
Representative works
Throughout the world, the works and representatives of functionalism were noted. Although it is evident, when making a list of works, that the most representative as artistic movements are found in the previously named European countries.
In the Czech Republic you can find the town of Tugendhat and the Fair Palace in Prague. The latter is one of the largest works and of those that first appeared using the functionalist style. Also in the Czech Republic is the New House Colony, a residential complex of 16 houses that was built in 1928.
In Germany you will find the ADGB Trade Union school, a clear example of functionalist ideas that was built in 1928. While in Denmark Aarhus University is a clear example of functionalist principles, as is the residential area Södra Ängby in Sweden.
The Villa Savoye, in France, is an example of the architecture of this style. In Portugal the influence can be observed in the Plaza de todos de Póvoa de Varzim. In Iceland the functionalist representation is observed in the Knarraros lighthouse that was built in the late 1930s.
The works are summarized in specific buildings, but also in large communities. Entire cities were built under the ideas of functionalism. As well as private homes.
References
- Grabow, S., & Spreckelmeyer, K. (2015). The architecture of use. New York: Routledge.
- Hertzberger, H. (2000). Space and the architect. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
- Leach, N. (1997). Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory. London: Routledge.
- Lillyman, W., Moriarty, M., & Neuman, D. (1994). Critical architecture and contemporary culture. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Trancik, R. (1986). Finding lost space. New York (United States): John Wiley & Sons.