Adolf Behne (1885-1948) was one of the most incisive and eloquent theorists of modernism. His critique of the Bauhaus aided in changing the direction of that institution, and his assault on
expressionist tendencies helped turn German architectural theory in a more sachlich, or practical, direction. The Modern Functional Building, written in 1923, clarifies the ideals of German
modernism at their very inception, especially the crucial distinction between functionalism, rationalism, and utilitarianism. This seminal text conveys the grit and complexity of early
modernist aspirations and will be essential reading for anyone interested in this phase of the modern discourse.
