The function of style by Farshid Moussavi is an interesting topic. The book, "The Function of Style," written by Farshid Moussavi, explores the concept of style in architecture and its role in creating meaningful buildings.
The Function of Style , architect Farshid Moussavi argues that style is not just a decorative layer or a "signature" look, but a critical tool for shaping how we experience everyday life
Short critical piece — "The Function of Style" by Farshid Moussavi (summary & reflection)
Farshid Moussavi’s "The Function of Style" reframes architectural style not as a surface finish or historical echo but as an operative, analytical tool that mediates between form, program, and social meaning. Moussavi argues style performs three interlocking functions: as a method for formal synthesis, as a vehicle for semantic communication, and as an instrument for technological adaptation.
Methodological takeaways (how Moussavi analyzes)
- Decompose buildings into recurring devices (e.g., grid, module, frame).
- Trace device behavior across scales and contexts.
- Compare devices’ functional outcomes (acoustic, social, visual).
- Use precedents to show variation in the same device producing different effects.
- Prioritize diagrams and constructive descriptions over purely historicist narrative.
The Function of Style (2014) is the third volume in architect Farshid Moussavi's "Function" series, developed through her research at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. It challenges traditional views of style as a mere aesthetic choice, proposing instead that style is a critical tool grounded in the "micro-politics of the everyday". Key Theoretical Concepts
Style is a Tool: It is an "updated approach" used by architects to ground aesthetic experience in the "micro-politics of the everyday".
Summary
How to Access Legally:
- Google Scholar – Search
"The Function of Style" Farshid Moussavi; sometimes pre-print or excerpt PDFs are uploaded by universities. - JSTOR / Academia.edu – If the essay was published separately (e.g., in Architectural Design journal), you may find it there.
- Harvard GSD Library (Moussavi taught there) – Open-access lectures or excerpts sometimes available.
- Issuu – Publishers (e.g., Actar) often post previews.
- Your university library – Request through interlibrary loan or ebook access.