Expressionist architecture
Expressionism emerged in Northern Europe in the early 20th century in poetry and painting, where it attempted to distort reality to express subjective, emotional experience. It quickly spread through all of the arts and architecture, pioneered by a group of architects from Germany, Austria and Denmark.
Expressionist architects used materials such as brick, concrete and glass to create novel sculptural forms and massing, sometimes distorted and fragmented to express an emotional perspective. Very often, expressionism involved a rejection of historical styles, symmetrical forms, and traditional designs, and instead embraced abstraction (based on structures not found or seen in the real world). This tended to result in unusual building forms using innovative construction techniques that stood out from their surroundings.
While the individualistic and informal approach to expressionist architecture makes it more difficult to define as a precise style, there are some recurring characteristics, including:
- Expressing emotion through distorted forms.
- Emphasis of symbolic or stylistic expression over realism.
- An attempt to achieve new and original designs.
- Natural themes such as mountains, lightning, rock formations, caves, and so on.
- Influence of Moorish, Egyptian, Indian and other eastern architectural styles.
- The romantic appreciation of architecture as an art form.
One of the landmark buildings of the expressionist form is the Einstein Tower by Erich Mendelsohn (see top image).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 judges choice winner
Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 public choice winner
Fresco School by Roman Robroek.
HE expands finance alliance to boost SME house building
Project follows on from Habiko public-private place making pension partnership for affordable housing delivery.
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
How orchards can influence planning and development.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year award
Shortlist set to go head-to-head for prestigious industry title.
HSE simplified advice for installers of stone worktops
After company fined for repeatedly failing to protect workers.
Co-located with 10th year of UK Construction Week.
Time for knapping, no time for napping
Decorative split stone square patterns in facades.
A practical guide to the use of flint in design and architecture.