1.3.1 RATIONAL MANAGEMENT METHODS
The significance of rational management methods, more specifically the methods
developed by Winslow Frederick Taylor^82 and Henry Ford^83 in the United States
between 1895 and 1915, in the research into the history of architecture have rarely
been approached in any systematic manner, although the impact of their “scientific”
management theories on architecture is widely acknowledged.
The English architectural historian Adrian Forty has drawn attention to five aspects
of Taylorism. Firstly, it was assumed that the Taylor’s theories could serve to narrow
down the chasm between the capitalist and the working classes. Secondly, Taylorism
had scientific status; it was considered an objective approach. Thirdly, the advocates
of Taylorism represented a new professional group, the middle-class technocrats who
applied rationalist thinking to gain greater efficiency. Fourthly, Taylorist practice robbed
the traditional craftsmen of the power to organise the manufacturing process for them-
selves. Fifthly, Taylorism was not fully grasped as a complete theory but was instead
known for isolated slogans, such as “The one best way”, and its symbols, including the
time chart, stop watch, and certain pieces of equipment such as the office desk.^84 Henry
Ford applied his consumer-centred ideas boldly in different fields of life, for example,
hospital construction and the development of the hospital organisations.^85 However
rationalist management methods were first applied in factories, which have subsequently
been the primary points of interest in the study of the impact of rationalist manage-
ment methods on architecture.^86 A study by the Swedish architect Lisa Brunnström,
Den rationella fabriken (The Rational Factory) from 1990, is a pioneering work on the
topic in the Nordic context. Brunnström’s study discusses the rationalisation of the
82 The American Frederick W. Taylor (1856–1915) was a pioneer of rationalised work methods. His best known work
is The Principles of Scientific Management, from 1911, which was soon translated into Swedish by a Finn, Johan
Sederholm. Taylor emphasised the application of scientific method both in the recruitment and training of new
workers and in the work itself. A new job title was introduced to the industry, that of the production planner.
Taylor developed his ideas into twelve tenets that would promote efficiency, minimisation, differentiation of tasks,
standardisation, systematisation, control, supervision and discipline. Taylor’s theses were to do with management,
organisation and performance but not the production building as such. Taylor’s work soon gained international
acclaim and his theories were adopted after the First World War in the automotive industry in France as well as in
Russia. The Germans had already embraced Tayloristic principles prior to that with the publication of the German
edition of the book in 1913 and developed their own methods on the basis of it. In Sweden, the employer organi-
sation Sveriges Industriförbund was a keen proponent of Taylor’s system. Brunnström 1990, pp. 55–57.
83 Henry Ford (1863–1947) developed the idea of mass production. His approach was less programmatic than that
of Taylor. His goal was to produce cars at a low cost so that his employees could afford to buy them. The most
decisive invention was the conveyor belt. Ford applied Taylor’s theories to a degree. According to Ford, the
purpose of industry was to serve the community and not to manufacture at a low cost and sell for a high price.
He was calling for a situation where the company, its employees and the consumer would all be winners. Ford’s
proposed method was a departure from Taylor’s theory. Ford maintained that bureaucracy needed to be reduced
to a minimum. He also saw the role of the physical buildings as significant in rational production. Brunnström 1990,
pp. 54–55; See also Nye 2013.
84 Forty 1986, p. 74.
85 Ford and Crowther [1922], pp. 214–219.; Henttonen 2009, pp. 221–224.
86 The factory buildings designed by architect Albert Kahn for the Ford Corporation have been studied by Frederico
Bucci, while Ingrid Osterman has investigated early 20th century factory buildings in Germany and the Nether-
lands specifically within the context of rationalisation. Lisa Brunnström studied Swedish factory buildings of the
same period. See Bucci 1999 and 2002, Osterman 2006 and Brunnström 1990.