The Journal of
the Korean Institute of Interior Design

The Journal of
the Korean Institute of Interior Design

Bimonthly
  • ISSN : 1229-7992(Print)
  • ISSN : 2733-6832(Online)
  • KCI Accredited Journal

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Title A Comparative Study of the Theory of Ornament of Adolf Loos and Antonio Gaudi
Authors 한상훈(Han, Sang-Hoon) ; 장용순(Chang, Yong-Soon)
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.14774/JKIID.2018.27.3.041
Page pp.41-48
ISSN 12297992
Keywords Adolf Loos ; Antonio Gaudi ; Ornament ; Theory of Ornament ; Modernism
Abstract This thesis is a paper comparing Adolf Loos and Antoni Gaudi's 'theory of ornament', based on their text. Adolf Loos and Antoni Gaudi are architects who had worked from late 19c, just before advent of Modernism architecture, to early 20c. When 'ornament' had started to be excluded from architecture according to development of industrialization and capitalism, Loos and Gaudi have both written about 'ornament.' Generally, Loos is known to have possessed rational mind and designed modern building with no ornament, and Gaudi is known to have possessed romantic mind and used splendid ornaments. For those reasons, it was assumed that two architects would have contrast opinions regarding ornaments. However, analysis of two architects' major text reveals that their theories of ornament are fundamentally analogous. Loos and Gaudi both argue dissolution of past normative 'ornament' and claims that rational 'ornament' that fits modern time is possible. Interestingly, intentionally adopted ornaments exist considerably in architecture of Loos. On the other hand, in Gaudi's architecture, there are many points where Gaudi had restrained ornaments. This thesis organizes similarity and differences of two architects' 'theory of ornament' through their texts and works. Moreover, this thesis suggests that then today's architecture aims to restart a debate on 'ornament', it is worth reviewing texts of Loos and Gaudi.