Functionalism is a direction in the architecture of the 20th century that requires strict compliance of buildings and structures with the industrial and domestic processes (functions) taking place in them. It originated in Germany ( Bauhaus school) and the Netherlands ( Jacobs Johannes Aud ). Using the achievements of construction equipment, functionalism gave reasonable methods and norms for the planning of residential complexes (standard sections and apartments, "line" building of blocks with the ends of buildings to the street).
It is curious that functionalism made it possible to build houses depending on their purpose. For example, in England , the construction of high-rise buildings in areas with a high population density was used . While on the outskirts, low-rise construction remained more in demand. At the same time, the features of the old building and national specifics were taken into account. [one]
Key Features
Le Corbusier deduced five constitutive signs of functionalism, from which, however, some branches could depart:
- The use of pure geometric shapes, usually rectangular.
- The use of large undifferentiated planes of the same material, as a rule, monolithic and precast concrete , glass , less often - brick . Hence the prevailing color scheme - gray (the color of unplastered concrete ), yellow ( Le Corbusier's favorite color) and white. Lack of ornamentation and protruding parts, devoid of functional purpose.
- Flat, if possible, operated roofs . This idea of Le Corbusier was often abandoned by the “northern” functionalists who built buildings that could withstand difficult weather conditions (see, for example, the Central Hospital of North Karelia ).
- For industrial and partially residential and public buildings, the arrangement of windows on the facade in the form of continuous horizontal stripes (the so-called "tape glazing") is characteristic.
- The widespread use of the image of the “house on legs” , which consists in the full or partial liberation of the lower floors from the walls and the use of the space under the building for public functions.
Ideology and Critique of Functionalism
The concise philosophy of style is “form is determined by function” (Louis Sullivan). In the field of residential architecture is concluded in the famous postulate of Le Corbusier : "Home - a car for housing."
Critics of the concept of functionalism usually speak of “facelessness”, “seriality”, “spirituality”, grayness and artificiality of concrete , parallelepiped angularity, roughness and minimalism of external decoration, sterility and inhuman coldness of tile. The contrast between the cyclopism of external dimensions and the microscopic interior and windows often makes houses of this style look like beehives .
Functionalism and other styles
- In contrast to constructivism, functionalism is most often deprived of a monolithic image. Upon closer inspection, the house breaks up into separate blocks.
- In contrast to the Stalinist empire, functionalism is devoid of pomp, pretentiousness and is technologically advanced. Houses do not resemble palaces, but serial beehives with honeycomb apartments.
- Unlike neo - Gothic - cheap artificial materials and the apparent absence of a roof.
- Unlike hi-tech , the closedness of small windows, heavy weight and fragility.
See also
- Cedra Engby
- Khrushchevka and Brezhnevka - typical residential buildings in the USSR, made in the style of functionalism [2]
Notes
- ↑ F. S. Kapitsa. History of world culture. - ACT: Word, 2010 .-- 606 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-064681-4 .
- ↑ Soviet functionalism: 15 archival photographs of interiors from the Khrushchev . RBC Real Estate. Date of treatment January 14, 2019.
Links
Functionalism is an article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia .