Origin: Early 20th-century Germany and Europe, a reaction against rigid formulas
Expressionism emerged in early 20th-century Europe and placed human emotion and experience above formal rules. In architecture that means strongly sculpted masses, unexpected curves or sharp angles, and surfaces that read as sculpture, with a deliberate play of light, shadow and volume.
In Vietnam the spirit suits villas, public buildings or highlight elements such as a staircase, curved wall or sculpted ceiling. Feasibility matters: complex structure raises cost, so choose one or two sculptural moves rather than the whole house. Concrete, rendered finishes or stone-effect paint work well when properly waterproofed and treated against moss and mould.
