Functionalism was an architectural style that started in 1920s Europe and quickly spread throughout the world. The style is easily spotted by its use of sleek, clean lines and "modern" materials like glass, steel, concrete, and plaster. One of the most interesting phenomena of Czech functionalism is the pre-construction issued postcard for a building, as you can see above. Frequently, postcards with photos of renderings or models were released in early 20th century Czechoslovakia in order to raise funds, which is why a number of the postcards above are for community buildings: churches, schools, Sokol clubs, etc. These documents are quite interesting as they show us the original plans of architects, including for some buildings that were never actually realized. For more pictures of Czech and Slovak functionalism, please see my pages devoted to the Atelier de Sandalo and Functionalism in Brno.
The Fostinum
The collector is the true resident of the interior. The collector dreams his way not only into a distant or bygone world but also into a better one.
- Walter Benjamin