Spatial and Surface Relationships in the Architectural Theories of Gottfried Semper, Otto Wagner, Adolf Loos, and Peter Behrens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/bei.2026.2Keywords:
Space, Surface, Meaning in Architecture, Architectural Theory, Contemporary ArchitectureAbstract
This article explores the theoretical and conceptual significance of "space" and "surface" in architecture by examining the historical development and contributions of influential 19th-century architects. Focusing on the works of Gottfried Semper, Otto Wagner, Peter Behrens, and Adolf Loos, the study investigates how their ideas formed the intellectual foundations of modern architecture. These architects emphasized the importance of expressing function through materials and surfaces, rejecting historical ornamentation in favor of technically driven forms and clarity of structure.
The research analyzes how architectural elements evolved to reflect a universal language-communicating function, necessity, and material authenticity. By focusing on the emergence of exposed surfaces and their relation to spatial experience, the article highlights how this shift influenced early modernist thinking. The theoretical framework aims to deepen understanding of the spatial–surface relationship and its role in shaping contemporary architecture. Ultimately, this study argues that the reinterpretation of architectural space and surface in the 19th and early 20th centuries marked the beginning of what is now called Modern Architecture, with lasting influence on architectural theory and practice today.
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