Understanding Architecture, pt.6 - Form Follows Function

Learn where the phrase form follows function came from and how it became a precedent that changed architecture forever.

[deezynar]

@deezynar
I have to correct myself. I'd read the phrase "Form follows function" was 1st said by 19th cent. American sculptor & essayist, Horatio Greenaugh. However, I just discovered that is incorrect. Greenaugh wrote that American architects shouldn't slavishly follow historic European forms, but should create new forms suited to their functions. His thesis could be boiled down to "Form follows function", but he never actually uttered the phrase.

[deezynar]

@IronJackalTw
Architecture is a blend of aesthetics, psychology, mediation, financing, law & engineering in varying proportions. There are no absolutes for aesthetics and psychology except that the client is satisfied. It's easier to tell if the project meets at least the minimum requirements in the other catagories.
To sum up, no design will please everyone. It is often all you can do to please the client, the building officials & the bank.

[matthewsloan]

I was looking for Lupe Fiasco but this is okay too.

[more_tezza]

@deezynar
'form follows function' must cover more than physical functions of men since we are not machines. And nature is the best source of what men find beautiful. Ornamentation, however, is unnatural, artificial and therefore is believed to be not beautiful and unpleasant.

[deezynar]

Hi, Doug,
This is a hot-button topic. The Moderns dominated architecture so much that there was a backlash against them & their catchphrases in the 60s. I have a book titled "Form Follows Fiasco" that takes direct aim at this saying. The author misses the point of the saying tho, he conflates it w/ the "No ornamentation" credo of the Mods. My take is the saying is valid, but you have to define what functions you want & most people would include beauty! BTW, Horatio Greenaugh said it 1st.

[zigaudrey]

The minimalist. Form is treated as a tool to complete the object functionality.

[Eiden]

you really are an inspiration just finished watching all your videos :) u do deserve my subscribe ... tnx ! ^^

[rassaneybattiese]

That was my Design and Technology class right there.

[IsaacC]

1:05 - My dream house.

To bad it's a luxury =(.

[disideratum]

Did you have to add a banjo? Seriously? ffs...