THE HISTORY OF THE «BRICK EXPRESSIONISM» STYLE IN ARCHITECTURE AND THE PROSPECTS FOR ITS APPLICATION IN UKRAINE

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32782/2411-3034-2025-38-1

Keywords:

brick, Brick Gothic, Expressionism, interwar period, clinker, Brick Expressionism, architectural composition, faзade plasticity, ceramics, sculpture, architectural heritage, reconstruction, brick construction, restoration

Abstract

Familiarization with the history and specifics of the «brick expressionism» style can significantly influence the prospects for the development of traditional construction in Ukraine using bricks and other ceramic products. The purpose of this article is to identify the characteristics of the architectural style of Brick Expressionism and to determine its potential for further application in contemporary Ukrainian architecture, particularly in the context of post-war reconstruction. The study explores the historical background of the style’s emergence, its aesthetic, structural, and symbolic features, as well as the prospects for adapting these principles to modern architectural design. The research methods include historical and architectural analysis, source studies, comparative and typological analysis, and visual-graphic interpretation. Practical experience in architectural design and an analysis of contemporary construction practices were also taken into account. The results of the study show that Brick Expressionism is not only a historically significant phenomenon but also a valuable source of form-making, technological, and compositional techniques that can be implemented in modern Ukrainian architecture. The use of emotional expressiveness, material tactility, ornamental facades, and the integration of arts is especially relevant as a response to society’s need for a deeper spatial identity. Conclusions. The principles of Brick Expressionism can be effectively integrated into contemporary Ukrainian architecture. Adapting the style may contribute to the creation of a harmonious architectural environment that combines tradition with innovation, particularly in the fields of residential and public construction. Given the high artistic potential of the style, its principles could offer a new impulse for the development of national architecture in the conditions of Ukraine’s reconstruction.

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Published

2025-12-31