What are rules for? “Form Follows Rule” is an attempt to answer. This exhibition at the Architekturzentrum in Vienna explains the link between urban form and architecture and their rules and regulations. The latter are made to control the increasingly complex and sometimes uncontrollable development of cities and society itself. For example, the building regulations of the city of Vienna have increased from 30 items in 1829 to 160 articles and by-laws in 2017. The display offers a comparison between laws found in different countries. It expresses the need to align and standardise the production of components and materials in order to facilitate the building dialogue between countries.

“Form Follows Rule” also offers the opportunity to explore more profound questions about society. Does the introduction of rules in every aspect of life allow for better development? Is the total normalisation of our behaviour necessary? The analysis hosted by the Architekturzentrum invites visitors to test the practical consequences of regulations. It illustrates how they influence materials, elements, buildings and entire cities. Several case studies show how architects actively integrate certain norms or creatively bypass them.