Frosta's Profile

Shutters were originally used to keep driving rain from getting inside old leaky windows. Since (most of) the windows we see now are pretty weather-tight, there isn't much need for shutters on buildings, unless used for decoration. In your typical suburban McMansion the shutters are fake - they are applied to the wall beside the windows for decoration, but they don't actually swing shut in front of the window.

Capital "M" Modernism would dictate that building elements should only be used if they provide some function.

Like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10019837@N05/799453247/

or this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hughgage/270349364/

or this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alternate/480462593/