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Argument › No. 16/2024

Form Follows Function in Victorian Asylums. The Impact on Adaptive Reuse Potential

https://doi.org/10.54508/Argument.16.08

  • / “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, "G.M. Cantacuzino" Faculty of Architecture, Iași, RO

Abstract

During the Enlightenment, social reformers embarked on a mission to transform various societal institutions, including schools, medical hospitals, prisons, and insane asylums. These institutions underwent significant changes in order to reflect the values of novelty, rationality, and increased prominence in society. Among these newly shaped institutions, the insane asylum emerged as a significant presence in nineteenth-century daily life. This paper delves into the early embodiment of the architectural principle “form follows function” in Victorian asylums, illustrating how this concept, though not formally articulated, profoundly influenced the layout and subsequent repurposing of these institutions. The notion that function dictates form was pivotal in envisioning the architectural design of Victorian asylums, foreseeing their integral connection to the purpose and operational aspects of mental health care facilities. During the 19th century, the proliferation of asylums coincided with evolving societal attitudes towards mental health treatment. Architectural philosophy aimed to create therapeutic spaces conducive to healing, emphasizing specific design principles. The prevalent belief of the time was that the physical environment significantly impacted mental well-being and treatment outcomes. Victorian asylums were thus tailored to meet the diverse needs of patients with various mental disorders. Reflecting contemporary social attitudes and practical considerations, Victorian asylums incorporated elements from diverse architectural styles and movements, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. In today’s context, repurposing Victorian asylums presents interesting challenges. This paper seeks to analyze the balance between preserving their architectural heritage while adapting them to modern needs, addressing challenges, successes, and ethical considerations. It explores ways to reintegrate these historically rigid structures into the architectural landscape, considering the possibilities and limitations of redesigning for contemporary uses while honoring their architectural legacy and societal impact. Their adaptive reuse blends historical significance with reinterpretation, exemplifying the nuanced application of the “form follows function” principle within architectural heritage and societal evolution.

Keywords

form, function, asylum, therapeutic space, adaptive reuse, heritage

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