Functionalism

Functionalism defines architecture through use rather than ornament. The phrase “form follows function”, coined by the American architect Louis Sullivan, became its motto. For a functionalist designer, a building’s plan, massing and facade should be an honest outcome of the activities inside, the way people move and the way it is built. In Turkish it is called fonksiyonalizm.

Its link with Modernism

Functionalism became one of the founding principles of twentieth-century modern architecture. The Bauhaus and the modernists set aside historical styles and decoration and turned towards industrial production, new materials and plain forms. Factories, schools, hospitals and social housing were rethought in this spirit, with efficiency of space, daylight and hygiene given priority.

Criticism and what it means now

Over time strict functionalism was criticised for ignoring sense of place, cultural context and people’s emotional needs, and Postmodernism grew partly out of that criticism. Even so, the idea that function belongs at the heart of design still holds. Good architecture produces buildings that do their job well and also feel good to be in.

A functional plan shows in visualisation as well. A space with clear circulation and a sensible furniture layout is easy to render, because every camera angle naturally explains how the space is used.