Form follows function

The concept of form follows function (also follows form function or FFF, literally ( The ) Form follows ( from the ) function ) is a design principle of design, in particular, product design and architecture. The shape, the design of things is here from their function, their purpose of use derived. Conversely, one can derive a function thereafter from the mold.

Formation

The first written mention of the terminus of the American sculptor Horatio Greenough, who speaks in connection with the organic architectural principles of form follows function in 1852.

The term is taken up a short time later in the architecture and is part of a famous dictum of the American architect and main representative of the Chicago School, Louis Sullivan, one of the first major high-rise architects. The facades of the early skyscrapers were partially fully ornamented.

" It is the law of all organic and inorganic, of all physical and metaphysical, of all human and superhuman things, of all true manifestations of the head, the heart and soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever follows function. "

The statement comes one more time in front of Sullivan's essay:

"Whether it is always followed by the solemn eagle in his flight or the open apple-blossom, which is abplagende workhorse, the graceful swan that are branching oak, the meandering stream to its source, the drifting clouds, everywhere shining sun, the shape of the function, and that is the law. "

" ' Whether it be the sweeping eagle in his flight, or the open apple- blossom, the toiling work -horse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, over all the coursing sun, form ever follows function, and this is the law. Where function does not change form does not change. "

Misinterpretation

Subsequent section is based on the assumption that " form follows function " is interpreted in such a way as meant by Sullivan. Differing interpretation see section " Bauhaus ". Often the phrase " form follows function " is understood as a call to surrender jewelry, on each ornament ( mis-). However, a functional element and thus is admissible and may be demanded according to Sullivan's logic, for example in official buildings, and ornaments. Many misunderstandings with the meaning to Sullivan could by reading his essay "The big office building from an artistic point of view " ( from which the quotation) are resolved.

The statement FFF ( by Sullivan ) was also misunderstood in such a way that the subordination of design paradigms resulted in " purely functional " objects, where only the practical, but not the aesthetic and symbolic functions are understood by design "Function ". Forget So, here is that aesthetics and symbolism even have a function, especially when it comes to housing for people. For Sullivan, the man and the architecture were inextricably linked:

"Just as you are, so are your building. "

Bauhaus

In Germany the basic design principle was "form follows function " is used in the interpretation of " waiver of any ornament " in the Bauhaus for the first time, with critics such as Adolf Loos even then compared to the architecture of the Bauhaus raised the objection that an oversized glass facade of no practical use a kind of ornament is. Better than in the architecture shows the influence of " form follows function" in developed at the Bauhaus products. The use of new materials and technologies in the workshops of the Bauhaus opened in the development of everyday objects often revolutionary perspectives - not least from an economic point of view - in the design of consumer goods of all kinds, from the lamp to the architecture.