Eladio Dieste and functionalism and Chairs

Functionalism as practiced in modern architecture failed. The honesty of materials and forms demanded by the functionalist methodology led to forms that people were not interested in living with. Much like a Reitveld chair, modernism has left much to be desired for the average person. I don't think that this is because of a problem with the functionalist mantra but more with its application as a style instead of a thought process. Mistakingly thinking that one should reduce a chair to the least that has to do to hold someone up, Some people (Reitveld), have made some pretty terrible chairs. Almost anything can hold a person up, functionalism should demand cool stuff like comfort and ergonomics and aesthetics that people feel comfortable in. Does a chair function is nobody likes the way it looks? What if it only weighs a pound and is super strong but uncomfortable? often the pursuit of efficiency and material honesty and minimalism drive design to an esoteric place that very few can appreciate. If design is a practice that involves making for the masses than the concerns, frivolous as they may seem, of those masses must be respected and not treated as trivial. Thats why Eladio Dieste was so cool, he produced "Modern" structures with amazing economy and efficiencies while still incorporating forms that regular people could live with.