Functionalism’s Influence on the World of Design
A multi-functional room in Zen design. Project by: The Minimalist Society
You may or may not have heard of Functionalism, the movement that swept through the world of art and design in the 20th century and left an indelible mark on the products and spaces we interact with.
If you’ve ever picked up an iPhone or stood in front of a steel skyscraper you have already been touched by Functionalism’s connection to almost everything that we see and use.
Functionalism as a design aesthetic is one of the most important movements of the modern world.
Louis Sullivan, the American architect and one of the pioneers of modern architectural design expressed the Functionalist creed in the now famous maxim "form follows function" and David Gelernter spoke of "machine beauty" in describing a computer program that accomplishes great purpose with small means.
Adolf Loos, the Austrian architect called architectural ornament “a crime” and Frank Lloyd Wright applied Functionalist principles to the Guggenheim Museum with a spiral shape, allowing visitors to easily view the artwork inside.
Guggenheim Museum IMAGE. Photo Source: Pixabay
Functionalism marks a very clear break from "pure art" which is produced with the sole purpose of providing aesthetic experiences.
In architecture as well as industrial and interior design, objects are created with the primary intention of satisfying practical function or utility. This consideration of usefulness and how it relates to beauty gave birth to one of the most influential cultural and artistic movements of the early twentieth century.
This full-length book shelves which also serves as the back drop of the space. Project by: D’initial Concepts
A modern but timeless tradition
Although largely regarded as a modern phenomenon, Functionalism is firmly rooted in history as well as a naturally intuitive way of viewing the spaces and objects we interact with.
In Xenophon's Symposium, Critoboulus expresses his Functionalist ideas and in the early Middle Ages, military architecture reflected Functionalist doctrines.
Functionalism reached its height in the period of Classical Modernity, establishing itself as the dominant architectural style from the end of the Second World War up until the end of the seventies.
Refusing to incorporate an emotional dynamic, Functionalist designs are usually linear, realist and free of pointless complexity.
A minimalist yet functional approach. Project by: Icon Interior
They often feature geometric shapes and right angles with complex structures organized into smaller units which are then duplicated. The aim is a clarity and balance which some might find cold.
A compact and functional kids room which is well-designed. Project by: Charlotte’s Carpentry
Bauhaus
The history of Functionalism is closely tied to the Bauhaus school, a center that embodied the idea that “form follows function” and played a role in creating the modern design industry as we know it.
Established in Dessau, Germany in 1919 by Walter Gropius and a group of artists and architects focused on the development of high-quality, utilitarian mass-produced consumer goods, the school’s program uniquely featured the melding of industrial production methods with handicraft.
Bauhaus School, 1919-1933. Restoration done by Bauhaus Dessau Foundation. Photo source: Pixabay
When the school was closed by Hitler for being “un-German” and its teachers emigrated, the Bauhaus teaching methods and style spread throughout the United States as well as Europe.
Functionalism in design
The discipline of product design embraced Functionalism at the Ulm School of Design (HfG Ulm) in Germany, most popularly seen in the work of Braun’s Head Designer, Dieter Rams.
Functionalism was consistently implemented by the Braun brand in the products that they developed.
Dieter Rams who stated that good design should be “unobtrusive”, also influenced Johnathan Ive, chief design officer at Apple.
Dieter Rams. Photograph by Abisag Tullmann. Photo Source: Vitsoe
When it comes to interior design, a Functionalist approach focuses only on the necessary or important.
The purpose is to create spaces that are efficient, with the design of a space being determined by its primary function.The use of the space directs the floor plan, layout and furniture. For interior designers, a Functionalist approach also removes wastage of space, materials and cost.
Creating spaces that stem from function can greatly increase the value of a space, making it easy to build future extensions and adapt around a timeless base. This is particularly ideal when it comes to the design of commercial spaces as well as home design.
Simplified version of TV console which is complimented by the white built-in cabinet for storage purpose. Project by: Minimology
Oriental Functionalism
The tension between modernism and traditionalism in design can be felt in many of Japan’s spaces.
Tadeo Ando (an architect whose concrete buildings are influenced by the Bauhaus style) displays a successful synthesis between these two seemingly contradictory values by reflecting traditional Japanese sensibilities regarding nature.
Church of the Light, by Tadeo Ando. Photo Source: Hiromistu Morimoto. License under CC BY-SA 2.0
Indeed, Functionalism as well as minimalism and simplicity are cornerstones of Japanese design. The philosophy of Functionalism can be seen at work in other Asian countries as well.
Singapore interior design as well as the nation’s roads, airports and architecture follow from the functionalist identity inherent in the policies developed by Lee Kuan Yew who built the nation on the foundation of efficiency and usefulness with Functionalism deeply ingrained in the Singaporean psyche.
Singapore city view. Photo Source: Pixabay
Lee was almost obsessive over functionality and implemented it in everything from deciding which tree would provide the best shade to planning the city-state’s foreign policy.
Feng Shui Functionalism can be seen in Pearl Bank Apartments which are among the last of the “old” buildings of Singapore.
Pearl Bank Apartment in Singapore. Photo Source: The Lion Raw
The apartments were completed in 1976 and are among the early high-rise, high-density buildings here. They also played a part in influencing urban development in the country.
Dezainn.com – Find premium interior designers who can propose you a functional yet aesthetic interior.
