Nora Lefa, MSc, MA, PhD, is an architect and visual artist. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Architecture, University of Sarajevo. Pavlos Lefas is a Professor in History and Theory of Architecture at the Department of Architecture, University of Patras, Greece.
Introduction
Part I: Use as function
1 A historical perspective Form and use I. Form and use in the passage of
time. Perceived use. The name of use. The persistence of form. Form versus
use. The persistence of use. 2 Aspects of use Traces of use. The body of
users. Form and perception. Use and narrative. Perception and identity. The
question of ontology: the anthropological approach. The question of
ontology: signification. Architecture: signification and identity. Identity
and creators. Evaluation issues. 3 Some philosophical considerations
Echoes of the theory of signification in architecture - the theory of
intention. Echoes of the theory of signification in architecture - the
theory of reflection. Echoes of the theory of signification in architecture
- the theory of construction I. Echoes of the theory of signification in
architecture - the theory of construction II. The ontological character of
the use. 4 Use and architectural design The instrumentalisation of
buildings: from Vitruvius to modernism. The two levels of function.
Function and form in history: the origins. Function and form in history:
the modern era. The disengagement of function from form. Forms for every
use: digital morphogenesis.
Part II: Use as attitude5 Users and use Form and use II. Use and acting
subject. Use as cultural phenomenon. The roots of our interest in the use
of buildings. Us and the others. The beautiful and the mediocre.
Personification of edifices. The life circle. 6 Destruction Buildings in
themselves, and buildings as symbols. The varying motives for destruction.
Destruction: ideological and political motives. Destruction: psychological
motives. Destruction: practical motives. A different kind of destruction.
7 Creation The motives for creation. The act and the product I. The act and
the product II. Use as creation. Reuse. Creativity and aggression. Beyond
creation: the quest for the new. 8 Disregard and appropriation Disregard.
Appropriation I. Appropriation and immortality. Appropriation and
nation-building. Buildings and artworks as trophies. Appropriation II.
Restoration as appropriation. Restoration and authenticity. Some
psychological and ideological aspects of restoration. The unholy exchange.
Afterword
Referenced bibliography. Index.
