“Form Follows Function”: Who Said It?
DonaldCBrown
| Posted in General Discussion on
Who is the author of the functionalist dictum, “Form Follows Function”?
A. Frank Lloyd Wright
B. Lewis Sullivan
C. Walter Gropius
Hint: It’s not A.
See http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2360/jm-eng.fff-hai.html for one citation.
Replies
Donald,
Are you trying to stir up the pot again? :)
Scott
Uh Oh..... ROFLOL
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Well done, thank you Donald - I think you would have to explain it to Prospero tho -
It was Louis Sullivan.
I'm an Architect, thats why I know. Is this in response to people quoting Frank Lloyd Wright for saying it? Just to let you know, Wright did say something similiar. He had his own version of "form follows function", but I don't remember what it was.
Thanks for correcting my spelling of Louis Sullivan's first name. I appologize to all, and particularly to Mr. Sullivan.
According to my copy of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, Louis Sullivan is credited with "Form ever follows function" from the article “The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered,” Lippincott’s Magazine (March 1896). I think this has usually been considered the origin of the phrase "Form follows Function."
PMM
hey, Paul,
there must be some classic Wilde in that book. anything good that isn't from the society comedies?
"readjustthetruth"
I don't know Frank Lloyd Wright's version of "form follows function", but here in L.A., I have heard "form follows parking".
Frank Loyd Wright said:
"Form follows function- that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union."
TDF
Wonderful, at least we can conclude that function has a purpose but to say that "Form Follows Function" is absurd. Function is the basis for the form... Well duhh.. No function, no need for form... Why is a toliet bowl shaped the way it is... I could guess one reason while Norm in Fujino will tell you another. Frank Loyd Wright was a horrible architect. Pretty cool on the design function side of things but I wouldnt, (even if I could afford it), own one of his hideous homes. Nope function definitely precedeeded form by a long shot.
Hint: think about the wheel.
P.S. don't mean to make you mad Dano, just an opinion.Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Steve, man, I think you miss the point of it all. Isn't a painting form with no function? A novel? Michaelangelo's "David"? A Krenov cabinet? DOH! just kidding on that last one...
I think both Sullivan and Wright were having their own version of interpretation of the debates and developments taking place across the pond: folks like William Morris and Oscar Wilde having semipublic debates about the usefulness of beauty, and the beauty of usefulness. One could say Wright was trying to clarify his teacher's statement, another could say he was contradicting it. Wilde, Morris, Whisler, Guimard, Mackintosh, Klimt, etc. all had versions of proclamations in and around this topic, all at the same time, all seemingly both complementary and condtradictory...
sb
"readjustthetruth"
Steve,
You really should consider cutting the caffiene.....
TDF
"Frank Loyd Wright was a horrible architect. Pretty cool on the design function side of things but I wouldnt, (even if I could afford it), own one of his hideous homes."
Steve, Forget about cutting back on the caffine, stop smoking that crack :) I gotta admit I'm not very fond of his stamped concrete or Usonian phases, but the FLW Prarie style really works for me and has really held up. I can't help but wonder who's work you feel is that far superior to say, the Robie House, to relegate it as hideous? Maybeck, Green & Green, Mies Van der Roe (sp?), Da Vinchi??? I'm not challenging your opinion because we're all entitled to one, I'm just curious about what someone who hates FLW likes.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Well, I don't know... I've run out of crack so possibly once the withdrawals subside I'll reconsider my comments. Personally, if I had it my way, all houses would be buried and grass and trees would be all you would see for miles and miles and miles... Uh oh, you must now think I found that last little stash.
BTW, it wasn't crack, never touch the stuff and never will. It was Beer and the good stuff too, (bud lite). FLW has his place in history for sure. Some of his designs really amaze me but from the design feat aspect not from the beauty. I really do think they are hideous. Thanks for understanding that it is just my opinion.
As for what I like, well believe it or not, I've always fancied English Tutors. I think it is one of the most elegant design styles that there is. I have no idea who the original Architecht was and I'm not so sure I even care, (maybe when I can afford one I will).
A smile, a joke and a boisterous laugh ... That's what makes life worth living.
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Edited 4/2/2002 5:25:32 PM ET by Steve Schefer
Bud Lite? the good stuff??? Here in the great frozen north where we have the dubious distinction of consuming more of the amber nectar than anywhere else in the world american lite beers are considered nothing more than colored water.
Tris
Hey, but after the first 12 or so can you still tell the difference...
LOL
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Being that Steve is from Northern California, I assumed he was talking about a different bud!
And Steve would you care to comment about that saying at the bottom of each of your postings??
NIEMIEC1
"Being that Steve is from Northern California, I assumed he was talking about a different bud!"
Can you explain what you mean by this. I'm sure we'd all be interested to know. I'm pretty much a big ole stupid "Northern California REDNECK" and sometimes things go right over my head.
"And Steve would you care to comment about that saying at the bottom of each of your postings??"
I'm sorry, I don't understand the need to explain... Did you read all of it. Most people that take the time to read ALL of it understand it quite clearly.
ROFLOL
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Steve:
I apologize for my obtuse and inappropriate humor; I was incorrectly stereotyping all Northern Californian's based of the few with whom I have had contact. This was stupid and insensitive. I should not have done it and I will try not to repeat this mistake. The individuals I have had previous contact lived in Humboldt County and used the term "bud" to refer to the partially developed flower of the cannibus they grew. If it was of a light color, it was "Bud Lite". Maybe because this was many years ago, such terminology is passe. I still should have kept my mouth shut! Making assumptions is sometimes very wrong.
I am however still having trouble understanding your attached comment. Maybe you could help me comprehend this message with an explanation!
O.K. all is forgiven..... LOL.. By the way.. its now .....bud green....How do you suppose I would know that.....
My attached comment simply means that people like me with ADD rarely listen to full conversations because we are so easily distracted. I found out I had it when I was having trouble studying. The doctor told me what it was but I wasn't paying attention to him and missed the diagnosis completely. My last comment to his was "So what have I got doc" to which he responded "That's all right I'll shorten the explanation".
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Steve:
From my perspective it is ok to poke humor at oneself; but I get a wee bit testy when others do it just for a laugh. As one afflicted, I sometimes don't think that ADD is much fun. Well, it can be, but those times are most often associated with being with other ADDer's. It's dealing with the "normies" of the world that is the real problem! I am certain you know this. I guess that only ADDer's would be having a discussion like this in a thread about form and function -- neither of which apply in our lives!
And see, I knew you knew what I was infering regarding the other bud. My excuse is that I lived through the '60's. I won't ask how you know!
Snicker ................ snicker
Got ya... I guess I should probably change it... Oh by the way. If you're like me, you probably can't remember the 60's. LOL...Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Being born in '56 I started enjoying the sixties in 1970. What the say is that if you can remember the 70's you weren't there. My best bud from high school, already an accomplished amateur horticulturist, went to Humbolt St. and degreed in Forestry Mgmt. He never came back and has lived in Arcada since. Along with Bud Light and Bud Green don't forget Bud Skunk and Bud Stink ;). I don't have ADD but my decade of decadence sure took it's toll on my short term memory. I think it's because I have 3 healthy brain cells left, but there all fighting for control.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Here in the Sunny So Cal region I consider any beer in the amber range (Pislner, Lager, etc.) to be light. So called 'light beer' is good for steaming shrimp or chucks of polish sausage, but I certainly wouldn't drink it. I don't drink anything more amber than Bass, Harp or San Miguel. My favorites are Newcastle and Negra Modello. If I'm gonna skip dinner anyway then I'll go for a "bowl of cold barley soup" (aka Guiness). Steve you really need to get out more.
BTW I like Tudors too.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
John, thank for your support... Actually, I only drink bud lite when I'm the designated driver. Anyother time it's Lagunitas IPA. That stuff really packs a wallop. Funny though, I was drinking at home that night... Hummm should have switched and passed out earlier. I'll have to remember to do that next time.
LOL not on the floor this time, gotta be cool in the office.
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
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