Final answer:
Adolf Loos' 'Ornament and Crime' thesis advocates for simplicity and functionality in design, rejecting decorative ornamentation as culturally regressive. His architectural designs, which exemplify clarity and geometric purity, reflect his views and significantly influenced the modern movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thesis of Adolf Loos' 'Ornament and Crime' contends that the use of ornament in design and architecture is a sign of cultural and intellectual regression. He argued that simplicity and functionality should be at the heart of design principles, rejecting the superfluous use of decorative motifs. Loos' perspective on design emphasized the moral dimension of architecture, linking the evolution of culture to the shedding of ornamentation. His views are embodied in his architectural works, which showcase a clean, unadorned style that focuses on the essential elements of form and function.
In his designs for houses, Loos expressed his views through a stark contrast to the prevalent styles adorned with ornamentation of that time. Houses designed by Loos, such as the Steiner House, exhibit a focus on geometric purity, spatial economy, and a deliberate avoidance of unnecessary decoration. The clarity and simplicity of his work not only illustrate his opposition to ornament but also reflect a forward-looking vision that influenced the modern movement in architecture.