Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Istanbul International Modern Scientific Researches Conference-IX, İstanbul, Türkiye, 10 - 12 Nisan 2026, ss.484-498, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
The emergence of Sullivan’s late 19th-century discourse, "Form follows function," established a
deterministic relationship between form and function within the field of architecture. However, various
architectural discourses have been developed to define and justify form, but this study discusses “Form
follows function” (Louis Sullivan, 1896), “Form follows fiasco” (Peter Blake, 1977), “Form follows
form” (Bernard Tschumi, 1996), “Function follows form” (Yona Friedman, 1997), and “Function and
form follow climate” (Philippe Rahm, 2021) to demonstrate how the relationship between form and
function has transformed in architectural history. As these discourses have shifted, the doctrine of "Form
follows function," a cornerstone of 20th-century modern architecture, has evolved in response to technological advancements, shifting environmental relations, economic crises, and climate crisis. As a
result of these changes, architectural design paradigms have undergone a fundamental transformation.
Consequently, the way architectural design engages with site, function, environment, and technology
has experienced a significant metamorphosis. Based on these observations, this study examines the
relationship between form and function, as reflected in architectural discourse and design. It indicates
that, in the 21st century, design is increasingly determined by an environment of aesthetic preferences
shaped by computers and the media. To articulate this phenomenon, the study proposes new discourses,
such as “Form follows media” and “Form follows artificial intelligence” asserting that architectural form
now follows digital environments. In the context of 21st-century architecture—characterized by rapid
digital evolution and diversified media tools—it becomes evident that form no longer follows the site
or function; instead, formal characteristics are determined by artificial intelligence, and designs polished
and highlighted by the media. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that the shifts in the relationship
between form and function are directly related to architecture’s engagement with the shifting values and
dynamics of the century.