Form Follows Function? or Form Follows Feeling?

Modernism in architecture has long been dominated by the principle of Form Follows Function, which prioritizes rationality, efficiency, and technology over subjective experience and feeling. This approach has resulted in a built environment that is often sterile, alienating, and disconnected from the human experience. In contrast, we propose a new manifesto for architecture that places feeling at the forefront of design. We reject the notion that function is the only driver of form and instead advocate for a design approach that prioritizes the emotional and psychological needs of users.

Our manifesto posits that Form Follows Feeling and asserts that the built environment should be designed to elicit positive emotions and create meaningful experiences for users. We recognize that human perception and feeling are complex and multifaceted, and we seek to embrace this complexity in our designs. Our approach is grounded in empathy and a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which our buildings will be situated.

We reject the reductionist approach of Modernism, which prioritizes efficiency and technology over the human experience. We believe that architecture must be more than a mere reflection of technological progress and functional requirements. Rather, it must be a reflection of the human condition, a celebration of our collective aspirations and desires. By placing feeling at the center of our design process, we can create an architecture that is truly meaningful, beautiful, and sustainable.

The poetry of the architecture we pursue exists in the juxtaposition of the ordinary and unexpected, the local and exotic, nature and geometry, light and shadow, the ephemeral and eternal, the present and future, the habitual and novel, reminiscence and fantasy, restraint and tribute, and other relative concepts. It evokes clear or hazy feelings in us. Architecture is not just a physical entity of space, but a stage for people’s lives. We believe that architecture should be an existence full of imagery, meaning, and value, which can guide people to perceive, think, and return to their inner selves. Unlike the contemporary mainstream architecture pursuing efficiency, speed, and mass production, we advocate paying attention to local characteristics, historical culture, humanistic care, and architectural sustainability, thus creating a poetic, humanistic, and meaningful architectural space. Let architecture no longer be a cold, dull, and monotonous existence, but become a cultural symbol and a place of life that resonates with people’s emotions.

Form Follows Feeling, thus architecture is inherently benevolent. In design, we must always prioritize the needs and experiences of users. Our aim is to create a space that is comfortable, secure, and aesthetically pleasing, while also respecting and protecting the surrounding community and environment. Architecture should be a harmonious part of society, not a reflection of the architect’s personal will, but rather a collaborative effort. Therefore, we must always consider the social and environmental impacts of our designs and strive for sustainable solutions to ensure a better world for future generations. Our design goal is to create architecture that is human-centric, community-oriented, and environmentally responsible.