19th Century brick architecture: Rationality and modernity

Abstract

The analysis of brick architectural works in Europe between the middle of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century shows that they already exploted the technical and formal material possibilities and they followed the constructive rationality tendency prevailing in the beginnings of the industrial era. These works reveal enough connections among themselves, so as to be able to assemble them under the common name of “19th Century Brick Architecture”, a name beyond nuances of style characteristic of each region or country. This article analyzes those most significant values of the Brick Architecture which allow it to be understood as a step towards modernity.