FUNCTION VS.

FORM

Fucntion Vs. Form

Gabriela Torres Balccer

Pontificia Universidad Catlica Madre y Maestra

Campus Santo Toms de Aquino

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

FUNCTION VS. FORM

It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic, of all things physical and
metaphysical, of all things human and all things superhuman, of all true manifestations of the
head, of the heart, of the soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever
follows function. This is the law.- Louis Sullivan
Function versus Form
What is the purpose of architecture? For whom are architects designing? It is important to
know that in every construction there is a reason for its creation. Architecture is a discipline that
is made by people for the people, so it has to solve a lot of needs that come from each
individual. During architectures history, there have been discussions around the fundamental
principles on which this discipline is based: functionality or physical appearance. But the core of
each architectural space rests on the use that people give to each, and it is used because people
can complete activities that are important for their development inside the city: Form follows
function (Sullivan, 1896), the way something looks should be determined by its purpose.
Architecture, according to the Oxford dictionary, is the art or practice of designing and
constructing buildings; but is this definition enough to describe it? Architecture, beyond being
art and technique, is a human creation with a humanitarian purpose. Our first recognition inside
the architectural space normally begins in our homes; it didnt have extravagant forms, but we
can remember it with affection because it was the scenery of our learning, and it seemed to be
prepared for every situation. Therefore, we can be conscious of the importance of architecture
on the development of human society. It (Architecture) has to do with the relationships between
people and how they decide to change their conditions of living. And architecture is a prime

FUNCTION VS. FORM

instrument of making that change because it has to do with building the environment they live
in, and the relationships that exist in that environment (Wood).
Architects, and the once who are preparing for being it, should contemplate in their
designs the function beyond form. It is important to increase the preference of an architecture
that is a stage of human action, and that it is capable of creating perfect places for human
development. The main benefits of functional architectures are the identification with the place,
the cost reduction, and the solutions that it provides to every possible problem.
Nowadays, there is a new concept around the development of spaces, and it is called
Placemaking, and it is a quiet movement that reimagines public spaces as the heart of every
community, in every city. Its a transformative approach that inspires people to create and
improve their public places (Spaces, 2011). This new method of design relates planners,
designers, and engineers with people from a specific community. It is difficult to work in a
public space when there is a lot of interest and different opinions around it, but it is easier when
people gather to achieve a common benefit. How it can be achieved? Well, with a simple
instrument called Communication. It might sound tedious but its not, this is the perfect
instrument to be sure people would feel identified with the space and that problems would be
solved. This technique involves actions as looking, listening, and asking questions to the people
who live, work and play in a certain space to find out which are their needs and desires. The
information collected would be the script to create a general image of that place. It takes a place
to create a community, and a community to create a place (Spaces, 2011). So, the work of the
designer is to listen what the best expert in the field (People who live, work, and play in a place),
and translated into space, into Architecture. When people get involve in the creating process,
they would feel connected and would take care about the place.

FUNCTION VS. FORM

There is a lot of ways to reduce cost by using principles of Functional Architecture; some
of the methods to achieve it are designing spaces with adjusted dimensions according to the
function or functions for which they have been assigned. A good example of this is Japanese
Architecture, a country where the lack of space has been a conditioning in all Japanese design,
even the construction of multifunctional space (One room is used for more than one activity).
Another method to reduce construction prices, is by designing buildings with basic forms, using
simple materials (Wood, concrete, steel, etc.) without useless ornamentation. These principles
have been raised by the Minimalist Architecture with its characteristic phrase Less is more
(1855, Browning). Also, the methods that have been practiced for centuries, but their use in
professional design are very recent, Bioclimatic Architecture. In this system, architects work
with the resources and energy that is provided by natural environment. So, bioclimatic houses
dont need the purchase and installation of complicated and expensive systems (Bioclimaticx,
2009). The strategies proposed by bioclimatic architecture are the keys to its functionality, such
as passive strategies to collect heat, and cooling strategies just using vegetation, managing the
entrance of wind and sunlight. The rules change for every country, because every need and
circumstance require a different solution related to each kind of climate.
Since mid-20th century, societies start to think about the idea of a new architecture, due
to the arrival of new technologies. This situation allowed the designer to leave the limits of
reality and to take the design of structures to a different and extraordinary level. But after this
point, the image of the architect became stronger and buildings began to look more like
sculptures. There are two perfect examples that describe this moment in history, Guggenheim
Museum by Frank Gehry and Tied Arch footbridge by Santiago Calatrava. The Guggenheim
museum with its curved walls has needed the provision of a series of false walls for the

FUNCTION VS. FORM

placement of painting frames. In the case of Tied Arch footbridge it was built on a dried river,
that now it is not, using glass to cover the bridge floor. Therefore, when the floor was wet people
slipped and fractured. Jess Caada Merino, the president of Bilbaos architects association
declared What you see over and over again is that rather than searching for functionality or
customer satisfaction, he aims for singularity, and he also added The problem is that Calatrava
is above and beyond the client. At this point, the image of the architect overcame peoples
needs.
Architecture should be creative and innovative with every design it comes up with. In a
way, this phrase is not completely false. Designers should create and innovate, but what is wrong
is the idea of what they have to transform. The form seems more important because it is the first
thing our sensations perceive, but when we interact in a space all the senses are working and
each one has to find its own incitement to create a complete image of the place. Architects might
be creative by using new technologies for making sustainable buildings, by using recycled
materials or just making spaces that can integrate people. Creativity and innovation are just the
instruments for reaching all kinds of purposes, but there are not aspects related only to the form
of spaces.
Architecture has an uncertain concept, but what we do know is that it has to be closer to
human needs and desires. The functionality is the key to create spaces that will make people love
being in their city, spaces that have a reason to be there because they are solving a problem and
spaces that can cost less with better results. It doesnt mean that it is wrong to create spaces with
exuberant forms, as long as the purpose, function, and circumstances have been considered.
Spaces must be designed to be used.

FUNCTION VS. FORM

References

Bioclimaticx. (2009, October 10). What is bioclimatic architecture? Retrieved from Bioclimaticx:
http://bioclimaticx.com/bioclimatic-architecture1/
Daley, S. (2013, September 24). A Star Architect Leaves Some Clients Fuming. Retrieved from The New
York

Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/arts/design/santiago-calatrava-collects-

critics-as-well-as-fans.html?_r=0
Function vs. Form: Rescuing Design from Insanity. (2008, March 03). Retrieved from Mirificam Press.
Spaces,

P.

f.

(2011).

Placemaking.

Retrieved

from

Project

for

Public

Spaces:

http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/
What is Architecture? (2008, March 15). Retrieved from Notes on Becoming a Famous Architect:
http://famousarchitect.blogspot.com/2008/03/42-what-is-architecture.html