Ronchamp Chapel and Crisis of Rationalism
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| Photo Credit: http://mcmansionhell.com |
By definition, functionalism suggests that a building should be designed to gain it's best functionality. One cannot rationally agree with the definition of the USA which means the adaption to building or industrial processes and products, or that of Europe which states that something must be designed to a specific use. It is fair to argue that a building should satisfy functional parameters and at the same time, provide with aesthetic conditions. Formalism and Functionalism must go hand in hand and must not overpower one another.
According to the author, Corbusier’s Ronchamp, a massively concrete structure is not recognized as an influence for modern architecture as it lacked intellectual value and was merely based on aesthetics. Even though many modernists might agree to this, it could be recognized as an anomaly at the beginning of a revolution that altered the modernist era into the post-modernist era. Ronchamp offered much more to architecture than being a symbol of ancient ritual; an appeal to emotions, a marriage between form and function and above all, a break away from the modern tendencies. He tried to move away from the static, universal art that lost its diversity, locality and the ability to be continued. In order to do so, Corbusier set up an interrelation between the building and its setting, a relationship between its form and function, and a conscious connection that appeals to the emotions. These elements are often neglected in the modern movement and one must consider these necessary principles in contemporary architecture.
According to the author, Corbusier’s Ronchamp, a massively concrete structure is not recognized as an influence for modern architecture as it lacked intellectual value and was merely based on aesthetics. Even though many modernists might agree to this, it could be recognized as an anomaly at the beginning of a revolution that altered the modernist era into the post-modernist era. Ronchamp offered much more to architecture than being a symbol of ancient ritual; an appeal to emotions, a marriage between form and function and above all, a break away from the modern tendencies. He tried to move away from the static, universal art that lost its diversity, locality and the ability to be continued. In order to do so, Corbusier set up an interrelation between the building and its setting, a relationship between its form and function, and a conscious connection that appeals to the emotions. These elements are often neglected in the modern movement and one must consider these necessary principles in contemporary architecture.
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| Photo Credit: https://www.inexhibit.com Shows the functionalist aspect of Ronchamp |
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| Photo credit: https://www.inexhibit.com Shows the aesthetic aspect of Ronchamp |
Really nice design Aashika. Arresting choice of images too. A good start.
ReplyDeleteYou refer to 'the author', but never tell us who he is. Your opening sentence uses the word functionality to define functionalism. Not always a good idea to use a word in defining a word. In yesterday's class we talked of two meanings for function: structural function, and program. Might be worthwhile including these here, and maybe a reference to Louis Sullivan's 'The tall office building artistically considered', which is the source for the Form Follows Function expression. Perhaps.
Lots of buzz words in this article you could think about too: schism, Constructivism, humanist, objets trouvés, folk architecture, Maillart, Mannerist & Renaissance.