Shell and Spatial Structures conference 2005, Bucharest, Romania

1. (UN)SINCERITY IN THE
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION:
SPATIAL STRUCTURES IN THE
AVANTGARDE ARCHITECTURE
Maria BOSTENARU
Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori
di Pavia, ROSE School, Italy

2. Overview
 Introduction
 Architecture theory and realisation
 Interpretation
 Conclusions

3. Introduction
 sincerity = elements are what they seem to be
 Sincerity in architecture:
 Load bearing structure
 Architectural arrangement
 internal space
 envelope
 ornamentation
 Baroque; Modern Avantgarde
 Modernism: function, materials, technology

4. Architecture Theory and
Realisation: Sincerity

5. Architecture Theory and
Realisation: Unsincerity

6. Architecture theory
 Gottfried Semper in 1834
 Elementation of construction / ancient cottage
 Wagner, Berlage, Loos
 Wagner: structural truth and applied ornaments
 Viollet-le-Duc
 ‚tectonic architecture‘
 >
 Space in architecture

7. Architecture realisation
 Floor-wall-ceiling typology > Loos-Raumplan
 Technically progressive and artistically
convincing vocabulars:
 Wagner student Medgyaszay and RC
 lecture: space delimitation / construction ; horizontals
 Theatre in Veszprém, Hungary
 Architectural truth in Vienna
 Truth of construction
 inner truth
 ornamental truth

8. Architecture Theory and
Realisation: Wagner and lessons

9. Architecture Theory and
Realisation – Loos and lessons

10. Architecture Theory and
Realisation: Olbrich

11. Architecture Theory and Realisation:
early spectacle building

12. Architecture Theory and Realisation:
later spectacle building

13. Architecture Theory and
Realisation: success story

14. Interpretation
 Spatial frame structures:
 Interior arrangement corresponding to adequate
spatial feeling for the respective function on
various floors
 Le Corbusier‘s five principles
 Contemporary interpretation at the Dutch
pavillon at the EXPO2000 in Hannover, DE
 Fundament-wall-roof > different structures
 Horizontals (Medgyaszay) and LC principles

15. Interpretation:
Le Corbusier and his principles

16. Interpretation:
EXPO 2000 Dutch pavillon

17. Conclusions
 The envelope
 Separates and interior of an exterior space
 In accordance with the urban situation
 Interior space
 In accordance with the architectural programme
for the respective function
 Post-modern discussion by Ventury (1966)
 Both interior and exterior reveal artistic forms
for the material of the load-bearing structure

18. Thank you!