Form Follows Function

            

               Modernism, as a movement, spanned the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and characterized by simplification of form and ornament. Nowadays, even though designers work in post-modernism (more varied in design) many follow the spirit of Modernism. The beauty of unadorned geometric forms, abstract shapes and the bold colors of modernist art are still influential. My focus will be on modernist buildings, discussing architecture in Taiwan. The article "The Rise and Fall of Modernist Architecture" states that the phrase 'form follows function' is often used as the principle of Modernism; "[modernists] believe that ornament should follow the structure and purpose of the building" (pg. 1).   

               Even although Modernism gained popularity after World War II, it had already been adopted by influential architects worldwide. One was Sir Joseph Paxton, who built the Crystal Palace to house the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. In 1926, Walter Gropius’s Bauhaus building represented the domination of Modernism in institutional and corporate buildings. The form of these buildings was based upon their intended purpose.

St. Joseph Paxton, 1803 - 1865

The Crystal Palace, 1851

The Bauhaus

           

        Modern architecture in Taiwan includes distinctive examples of Modernism. One is Taipei Station, rebuilt four times since 1891, largely due to war. Its third generation was built from 1939 to 1941, using Modernism's style, creating more useful areas for the growing population.

Taipei Station in 1948 (third generation)

Current Exterior View of Taipei Station

                  Another famous modernist building is the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Its rectangle shape was designed to offer ample space for audiences of various sizes.

The Exterior of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

                  The Luce Memorial Chapel in Taichung was designed by Chen Chi-Kwan, in collaboration with I. M. Pei, often called the master of modern architecture. Because Taiwan is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, small earthquakes strike year round. The chapel was executed in reinforced concrete, with curved surfaces providing earthquake stability; again, creating the form needed for the function of the structure.

Luce Memorial Chapel

Luce Memorial Chapel at night

               

                  Although many contemporary architects are post-modernist, the modernist principle is very evident in today's architecture; form is driven by purpose.

Work Cited

- Rowe, Hayley A. The Rise and Fall of Modernist Architecture: 1 pg. Online. 2011. http://www.corcoran.org/modernism/index.htm