The unacknowledged status of applied ornament in contemporary architecture

Abstract

In the 19th century, Fergusson defined architecture as “the art of ornamental and ornamented construction,” a theory that remains relevant today. Historically, ornamentation has been central to architectural discourse, from Renaissance notions to the stark minimalism of Modernism and the symbolic décor of Postmodernism. Today, it continues to be a critical focus in architectural theory, though contemporary discourse often treats ornament as an intrinsic architectural feature where ornament and structure are inseparable. This view, that pursues the design principles of Modernism, overlooks the prevalence of applied ornament, which, though less discussed, is equally significant in practice. Within this context, this paper builds upon a binary framework to understand contemporary ornamentation: intrinsic (integral to the building) and applied (added onto the building). Despite the contemporary preference for intrinsic ornament, applied ornament remains widespread in architectural practice, indicating a need for a reassessment of its theoretical framework. Delineating the approaches and illustrating related concepts such as patterns and digitalization, the study aims to comprehend applied ornament’s role and challenge the perception that integrated ornament is the only legitimate form through the examination of contemporary projects. This re-evaluation seeks to deepen the understanding of ornamentation’s status, encouraging further theoretical exploration of applied ornament. © 2025 Universidad Politecnica de Valencia. All rights reserved.