This week, we discover more about the form and function in architecture. Nowadays, both form and function play a very important role in architecture. Functionalism has become wider range which goes beyond humanism. In contemporary architecture, building designed not only based on function, its combined form, humanism, art and others.

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Over the lifespan of an architectural work, form and function are very much inter-related to each other. They both run side by side. Function always affects the expression of a form. Each time a building is constructed or planned first, architects try to consider and balance both form and function.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Form and function has to be in one whole, building as a whole’ – Frank Lloyd Wright

I agree with Frank Lloyd Wright that both function and form should be related in designing a building. All part of the building should be designed as part of each other, each parts should be link to each other, included with the architecture between interior and exterior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nowadays, renovation and adaptive reuse being popular in architecture. It is the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. It can be regarded as a compromise between historic preservation and demolition.

Renovation and adaptive reuse changed the function and programme of a building and physically adapting it to new needs and requirements. Many historic buildings that initially had other functions but are now transformed into shops and other commercial functions. It also change the façade and outlook of a building which bring different feeling to visitors. Although the building have been renovated or adaptive reuse, some of the space inside still remain the spatial quality or function which can remain the history and old feeling.

 

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China House, Penang

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Located in a compound of three heritage buildings, China House is a multi-concept venue spanning across 16,000 square feet. China House is a combination of 3 heritage buildings, linked by an open air courtyard and converted into 14 spaces comprising shops, cafes, restaurant, galleries, live music and bakery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The adjoining courtyard opened up to allow access between the art space and artists dorm in one building and the other art spaces, bistro, bar, reading room and performance areas in the other.

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The old original window frames for the sunroof remain but the glass doesn’t, leaving a great open space for the sounds of the cafe downstairs to flow through the rooms.

 

 

 

Chocha Foodstore, Petaling street

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A cafe along Jalan Petaling, located a couple of doors away from Merchant’s Lane and PS150. Chocha Foodstore showcases nostalgic moments in a two-storeys Chinatown shop house that has withstood the ravages of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rusty torn walls, exposed bricks, ancient patterned floor tiles, plenty of olden charm are remained untouched by purpose, creating an ambience that put contrast to many other cafes with modern vibe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pushing open a new glass door fashionably fixed onto the original facade, one can almost feel the years that this former brothel has witnessed. While its spiral staircase, leafy courtyard and old wooden ceiling are a sight to behold, the magic is really in the untouched yellowed tiles and eroded walls. They give off a heady sense of nostalgia.

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As conclusion, a building should not only design based on the functionality instead, it should merge with theory such as humanism, form and purpose so that a building can be complete as a whole.