This document discusses the architectural principle of "form follows function". It begins by quoting Louis Sullivan stating that this principle is a universal law that applies to both organic and inorganic things, as well as physical and metaphysical things. The form or expression of something is recognizable through its function. It then provides examples of how form depends on function for different types of buildings and structures. The form of a movie theater or farmhouse, for instance, depends on its long-term function and intended use. Product design is also influenced by considering a product's entire lifecycle from conception to use and retirement. Finally, it discusses how realizing an appropriate form for a building or structure involves a professional design team that considers the

1. A Presentation on the architectural proverb
“FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”

4. “ It is the pervading law of all things organic
and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-
human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its
expression,
That form ever follows function.
This is the law.”
Louis Sullivan (1856-1924)

5. Which of the following is design and which is analysis?
A. Given that the customer wishes to built a warehouse for
him/her.
B. Given the cross-section geometry of a warehouse , and we
draw its plan and elevation for necessary analysis before
stepping into constructional work.
Design Analysis
Form is the solution to a design problem.

6.
control
Function hold
decision making processes move
protect
Design
store
shape
Form configuration
size
Form Ever Follows Function materials
manufacturing
processes

7. Set of decision
making processes
and activities
to determine the
form of an object,
given the
customer’s
desired function.

8. Different forms depending upon the type of functioning for the same object:
The concept of sustainability has created an awareness among the people.
Now people are heading back towards the core concept of “Form follows
Function”. This principle does not imply on not decorating the structure or trying
to make it aesthetically appealing. People are now more focussed onto making
less use of energy intensive materials to make the environment sustainable and
avoid chaotic designs.
Aesthetics and functionality flow hand in hand. People are ready to spend, buy
materials locally or import to make the functionality blend well, in order to get an
elegant interior with rich and brand-symbolic elements.
Aesthetics for different types of buildings are different. The aesthetic appeal
factor varies from residential design to commercial buildings like office complex
or shopping malls or cinema theatres etc.

9. Form

10. Formulation
Concept
Preliminary
Design Embodiment
Configuration
Design
Parametric
Detail

11. Realized
Form
Manufacturing and
construction
(Production)
Production Design
Engineering and
architectural Design
Industrial Design
Conceptualization
Functional
Need

12. Design on basis of function Established function
determine form of a product and
plays a key role in the life of the
Manufacture product .A movie theatre may be
everlastingly built and have
Use of its form usually much longer life than a
farmhouse. The factor of
“function” plays the role here.
Retire
To satisfy the consumer…
We must consider all the phases in the life of a product from its function to its
physical form

13. Independent
1.Basic function
2.Primary amenities 1.Luxury
3.Purpose 2.Technology
form
3. Innovation
Dependent
Growth of Higher Growth of Primary
Functional needs functional needs
Surrounding
needs
form

14. Fig: Generation of form
according to the
requirement of the
higher functional need
and primary functional
need.

15. Fig: A typical hut in outskirts of
.Its form is dependent upon the
external surroundings.Being in
very less temperature zone,its
of four sided enclosed form and
of cold resisting building
material.

16. Fig: Comparison of the constructed structures whose form, shape and order are
of their respective functional origin

20. Derivation relevance in Nature and Surroundings of this concept,other than
in Buildings

22. Professional Team Function
Surveyor Land planning and site survey
Draftspersons Drawing and Plan designing
Civil engineers Construction and building
aspects
Technicians and Production Levelling and reverification
managers
Constructor Construction and
instrumentation
Interior designer Specific interior ornamentation
Individual skills inhibitor characterization

23. • Design is “decision” making.
• Product realization process includes engineering design
• Design process of any building form requires formulating,
generating, analyzing, evaluating, refining and analysis of the
socio-economic functionalities of the building and its surrounding
localities
• Form follows function
• Product’s form realization is a professional team work heavily
dominated by functional purpose of the project.

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temperament. Without Feathers, New York: Warner Books, 1976.
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7: Brolin B.C. The Failure of Modern Architecture. London 1976.
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Gothic Revival to the Modern Movement. Oxford 1977.
10: Asplund H. Farv�ll till funktionalismen! Stockholm 1980.
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Mass. 1983.
12a: Wolfe T. From Bauhaus to Our House. New York 1981.
12b: Krier, L. Architecture: Choice or Fate. Windsor, Berks, England 1998.
13a: Lawson, B. How Designers Think: The Design Process Demystified. Second ed. Oxford 1990 [1980].

25. - Atul Rajmani Pathak