The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland
Aesthetic tendencies in architecture are disposed between two poles: rich ornamentation and formal restraint. The principle of an empty wall and the rejection of decoration are perceived as features of contemporary architecture. However, does the thesis attributed to Adolf Loos that ornament is a cr...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Arts |
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| author | Piotr Drozdowicz |
| author_facet | Piotr Drozdowicz |
| author_sort | Piotr Drozdowicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aesthetic tendencies in architecture are disposed between two poles: rich ornamentation and formal restraint. The principle of an empty wall and the rejection of decoration are perceived as features of contemporary architecture. However, does the thesis attributed to Adolf Loos that ornament is a crime still apply? This study covered 50 buildings completed between 2000 and 2022 in Poznań (Poland) and 810 photographs were obtained. In order to analyze the research material from an aesthetic point of view, the author refers to the past concept of decorum, which distinguishes it from the concept of ornament. The result of the research presented in this article is a typology of contemporary decorative elements, which includes eleven types of decorations. The study of construction in Poznań reveals the widespread presence of new ornaments, which demonstrates a universal human need for decoration. Increased decorativeness, which characterizes the declining periods of architectural styles, indicates that the modern style of architecture has also fallen into a “Rococo phase” in terms of aesthetics. This raises a question about the direction that the development of architectural decorations should take. A clear need to return to the idea of decorum is observed, encouraging further research as well as the elevation of the design value of modern ornaments through professional design research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6375011673384978a64fbf57da30b756 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-0752 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Arts |
| spelling | doaj-art-6375011673384978a64fbf57da30b7562025-08-20T03:14:17ZengMDPI AGArts2076-07522025-03-011423110.3390/arts14020031The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, PolandPiotr Drozdowicz0Institute of Interior Design and Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, 61-131 Poznań, PolandAesthetic tendencies in architecture are disposed between two poles: rich ornamentation and formal restraint. The principle of an empty wall and the rejection of decoration are perceived as features of contemporary architecture. However, does the thesis attributed to Adolf Loos that ornament is a crime still apply? This study covered 50 buildings completed between 2000 and 2022 in Poznań (Poland) and 810 photographs were obtained. In order to analyze the research material from an aesthetic point of view, the author refers to the past concept of decorum, which distinguishes it from the concept of ornament. The result of the research presented in this article is a typology of contemporary decorative elements, which includes eleven types of decorations. The study of construction in Poznań reveals the widespread presence of new ornaments, which demonstrates a universal human need for decoration. Increased decorativeness, which characterizes the declining periods of architectural styles, indicates that the modern style of architecture has also fallen into a “Rococo phase” in terms of aesthetics. This raises a question about the direction that the development of architectural decorations should take. A clear need to return to the idea of decorum is observed, encouraging further research as well as the elevation of the design value of modern ornaments through professional design research.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/14/2/31decorumornamentarchitectural detailarchitect aestheticsmodernismblank wall |
| spellingShingle | Piotr Drozdowicz The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland Arts decorum ornament architectural detail architect aesthetics modernism blank wall |
| title | The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland |
| title_full | The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland |
| title_fullStr | The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland |
| title_short | The Return of Decorative Trends in Modern Architecture: The Example of Poznań, Poland |
| title_sort | return of decorative trends in modern architecture the example of poznan poland |
| topic | decorum ornament architectural detail architect aesthetics modernism blank wall |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/14/2/31 |
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