Rationalism is not such a famous trend in architecture as constructivism, but no less interesting. This style appeared in the twentieth century due to the development and emergence of new technologies. Sometimes this area is also called "modern architecture". Representatives of this style paid much attention to the psychological perception of man. Rationalism in architecture is the unity of form, construction and functional purpose.
Short description
This direction is characterized by rigor and simplicity of forms. Rationalism in architecture is different in that it has one feature - functionality. The heyday of this style falls on the 20-50s of the twentieth century. The main patterns used by rationalism in architecture are geometric shapes: straight lines, squares, rectangles.
Masters also experimented with proportions and color. Architects sought to ensure that their ideas corresponded to the aesthetics of that period. Their main idea is that architecture should meet the modern needs of society, and not just repeat the ideas of past eras. The new direction should be simple, concise and understandable to people.
Another interesting feature of rationalism in the architecture of the 20th century is that for the masters it was an instrument for the restructuring of society, the “new” man who would be free from the ideas of past centuries. In addition to experiments with proportions and color, asymmetry and materials such as iron and concrete were used. All this added functionality to this direction.
The architect, according to rationalists, did not act as an artist-decorator, but as a designer. The buildings were created so that they were practical, but also expressive. Masters of this direction believed that the aesthetic component would only matter when it performs a practical function. Therefore, the buildings were not only expressive, but also functional.
Style development in Holland
The founder of a rationalistic architectural trend in Holland was Hendrik Petrus Berlage in the 19th-20th centuries. It was his work that had a great influence on the formation of this style in other countries. The main ideas of Hendrik Berlage are working with smooth surfaces and using natural stone, unplastered brick walls.
An example of rationalism in Dutch architecture is the building of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Its appearance harmoniously combines rigid structures with elements characteristic of the traditional Dutch style. Berlage was engaged in the reconstruction of the "poor" areas of Amsterdam. And in many cities in the Netherlands appeared simple but beautiful buildings.
Style development in Italy
In Italy, rationalism came about thanks to the German Bauhaus School of Architecture. Italian architectures created two communities - Group 7 and MIAR. The most famous master from the creative group "Group 7" was Giuseppe Terrani, who created a beautiful building in the style of rationalism in 1936 - the People's House in Como.
The head of MIAR, Adalberto Liber, became famous thanks to the Palace of Congresses, which is located in the Roman suburbs. It was built in 1954 and consists of a spacious congress hall, a terrace with hanging gardens and an open-air theater. The main feature of the rationalism style in Italy is its social orientation. Italian craftsmen strove to create a new environment and a person who would be ready for joint work.
Style development in the USSR
This direction is not as popular as constructivism, but buildings in this style are no less interesting, and talented craftsmen worked in it. Rationalism in the architecture of the USSR corresponded to the ideas and principles of Soviet society. But at the same time, unlike representatives of constructivism, rationalists were not so categorically tuned to past developments in the field of architecture.
All representatives of this trend studied the foundations of the classical style and were not limited to the functional component. It was also very important to consider how a person perceives architecture. The leader of this movement was N. A. Ladovsky, who organized Obmas (United Workshops).
Obmass's activity was short-lived, but it was there that the first steps were taken to create a new architectural school. They trained architects at a different level and introduced a new discipline - "Space". N. A. Ladovsky believed that an architect should think in volume. So the mock method was created, which allowed us to show imagination in work and create interesting artistic techniques.
"ASNOVA" - a creative organization of rationalists
In 1923, like-minded N. A. Ladovsky created the association "ASNOVA" - the Association of New Architects. Members of this organization at different periods were famous artists. ASNOVA participants wanted to create a print publication, but this did not work out. Therefore, articles were published in the magazine "Moscow Construction" and other thematic publications.
Rationalists did not participate in various competitions, so the constructivists took a leading position. From 1923 to 1926 there was a controversy between the union of rationalists and constructivists. Rationalists believed that the constructivists are too limited and pay much attention to the functional component.
In 1928, a split occurred in ASNOVA due to disagreements between Ladovsky and his more radical colleague, V. Balikhin. Also N.A. Ladovsky created the Association of Urban Architects.
Residential complex on Shabolovka
This is a well-known example of Soviet rationalism in architecture. In 1927, the development of this building was entrusted to architects from ASNOVA. They needed to create a residential complex that met the following requirements:
- compactness;
- cheapness;
- expressiveness.
A small plot was allocated for construction in the Shabolovka area. The group of N. Travin won this competition. Architects were going to build 24 buildings, consisting of 5 and 6 floors. The complex also included a kindergarten and a boiler room. Architects wanted to build the buildings so that they could use the maximum amount of light.
To fulfill this idea, they built small semi-insulated courtyards that surround the southern facades with balconies - it is on this side that the windows of the main living rooms go. But on the north side of the house there are rooms for the kitchen and bathroom. We paid great attention to the interior design. Architects created the feeling that the courtyards smoothly "flow" into each other. This adds the effect of maximum light and open space.
Flying Cities
In 1928, one of the best students of Ladovsky - George Krutikov, presented his thesis, which became a sensation in architecture. It was an idea to create a "flying city." The architect suggested leaving the land for tourism, recreation and labor, and the residents themselves would have moved to the flying city-communes.
Communication between the "air" and "ground" buildings was to be carried out using a multifunctional cabin. Aeronautics was well developed in the USSR, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that Krutikov was fond of astronautics and believed that urban architecture would be connected with the air theme.
Some took the idea of Flying Cities enthusiastically and thought it was a new word in science. Others were rather skeptical. But this idea emphasizes that rationalism is associated with the development of technology and science.
Style decline
At the beginning of the 30s, the USSR was no longer such a creative atmosphere, and artists had less space for the realization of their capabilities. Society did not need new forms, but the exaltation of the Leader and the achievements of the Soviet people. Neither rationalism nor constructivism could realize these requirements. Therefore, the leading trend in Soviet architecture was neoclassicism.
The rationalists began to say that they support bourgeois ideas in architecture, that their projects are too formal. But Constructivists were less criticized because they paid more attention to functionality than experimenting with shape and color. Also, the Soviet authorities did not like the fact that they were fond of psychoanalysis, which was not recognized in the USSR. And in that era began the decline of rationalism and functionalism in architecture.
Rehabilitation of this direction
Until the 1950s, this style was not mentioned anywhere. Representatives of rationalism were called “formalist pests,” or they were not talked about at all. But by the end of the 50s, people began to relate differently to the architectural heritage of the 1920s. Many ideas of architects of this direction were used by masters of the thaw period.
Rationalism in architecture - the style is not so popular, but no less interesting, with original ideas that fit the needs of society of that period. Architects working in this style took into account the achievements of science and technology. And some masters put forward interesting innovative ideas.
At the same time, rationalists did not refuse to study other styles completely, as the constructivists did. That is why they were criticized more, because their thinking was more extensive and not so limited. The peculiarity of rationalism in architecture is also that in their work they used psychoanalysis in their work, which makes this direction even more interesting.