MANUFACTURING THE INTERIOR

Every space that has lost its original furnishings has the same plundered, lifeless effect. Most of the objects customarily treated separately in the history of decorative arts belong entirely to architecture. They alone give it its emotional and intellectual existence.
Paul Frankl, Principles of architectural history (1914)

The aim of Manufacturing the Interior is to analyse the interaction between furniture and architecture in the development of modern space, using the dwelling as a concrete study case, in an itinerary through several works from some authors that are essential to understand the history of modern design and architecture.

Furniture is particularly important in the definition of the use of the different rooms of a dwelling, but also in the definition of their shape and space. Even if the walls are finished, an important part of the character of a space will not be defined until the placing of some elements inside. In the same way, the character of an architectural space can be very different depending on the elements that complete it.

If there is not a reciprocal influence between furniture and architecture, the author renounce to the possibility of providing the user with a complete environment. On the contrary, when furniture and architecture follow the same original idea, the furniture reinforce the architectural character of the space.