Introduction
“Form” is generally used to
reference physical properties of objects. Particulars are objects of sight but
not of information, while the forms are the objects of information but not of
sight. ‘Function’ of an object or system is related to the environment in which
it operates. Function of a building is that which it alone or it better than
everything else can go through.
Definition
Form
It refers to the shape or structure of a building. Form and
its opposite, space, constitute primary elements of architecture. The
relationship is required, given the purpose of architecture to provide a place
to stay for human. Both form and shape need considered the human proportion
during the construction.
Function
Architecture nowadays, function is the principle that
architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building.
Unfortunately, this is less self-evident than it first appears. This is the basic characteristics of a building which is
closely linked to their durability.
Chicago fire
This fire is caused by cow. After
the fire, the buildings have to build up very fast, so architects have to
decide using what styles.
Relationship
As we can see now, form and
function have to work together to produce a perfect building although both of
them are totally different.
“All things in nature have a shape, that is to say, a form, an outward semblance, that tells us what they are, that distinguishes them from ourselves and from each other.” - Louis Sullivan.
“Form follow function”
According to Louis Sullivan in the
article, he thinks that form ever follow function, this is the law. This is the
main characteristic of every tall office building takes aesthetic value in the
country. Architecture is not written to imitate nature, but in the inevitable
structure of the evolution to be imitated. Besides that, he thinks that
ornament is necessary of a building based of geometric form and natural form.
“Form follow fiction”
Bernard Tschumi think that there
is no fixed connection between form and the event occurred in the building.
Architecture is driven by culture. Before function there are stories, there is
culture, there is fiction. He against the centuries old architects of the
traditional design method.
Adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse refers to the
reusing process of an old site or building for a purpose. Besides that,
adaptive reuse can be seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and
reduction of urban sprawl along with brownfield reclamation. Actually form and
function using concept of adaptive reuse nowadays. Benefits of it is clear
economic, environmental and social benefit. Adaptive reuse can be applied on
many types of facilities around the country. Although the buildings have been
used throughout the history of the country, modern architectural use a creative
way to breath a new life into an existing historic context. However, there are
still have the advantages and disadvantages to taking this adaptive use
concept.
Modern Art Museum of Medellin
This building is a good case study
for adaptive reuse. It designed by Ctrl G, 51-1 arquitectos and located in
Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia. It found in 1978 by a group of artists to
attract some more people to learn about modern and contemporary art. It was
housed in the communal space (original is church) from the Carlos E. Restrepo social housing estate
but finally end up abandoning it and built a mass production of steel factory.
As you can see
in before 1978, the building just a rectangular shape and it look very boring
and simple. That’s why the change the shape of the building to more creative
way. Building form was changed to create more human circulation to attract more
people to enter the building.
Halaman House, Kuala Lumpur
Halaman Guest
House is also another case study for adaptive reuse. It is a hideaway along an
unpretentious street in Kuala Lumpur and is a lovely retreat nested within a
charming courtyard. Furthermore, the public transport is just exactly at your
door-step, Salak Selatan LRT Station is just at the opposite of road. Halaman
Guest House is nearby rows of Chinese shop houses in British colony with
historical value. It also surrounded by post office, mini mart, restaurants,
bank, clinic and police station. Highlight place at there is Sek Me Choy Bah
Kut Teh Restaurant and Permaisuri Park.
The architect
remains the original façade and most of the structure of the building. The
function of the building is changed from a shop house to guest house. According
to the architect, his aim is to create not only a comfortable and enjoyable
holiday house for users, but also a house that embraces the beauty of light and
shadow, brick and stone, tree and water. Form is less changed because the
architect wants to bring in the traditional courtyard concept into the
building.
The function is
temporary over lifespan of a building. As we can see, from past it was a shop
house, but now it changed to a guest house which users can enjoy and having a
comfortable place to stay there. It proves adaptive reuse in contemporary architecture,
form comes first and then function and activity.
Conclusion
In my opinion, architects should achieve on both because ‘form follow
fiction’ also important in modern architecture. It gave more imagination
for us on fictional buildings. These buildings not really fiction at all, but
the real experiences of the people who live or using the buildings. Fiction is
just another type of function.
REFERENCE