ARCHITECTURAL PHENOMENOLOGY Meaning and
Definition
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Architectural phenomenology refers to a philosophical and theoretical approach within the field of architecture that focuses on the experience and perception of architectural spaces and structures. It explores the subjective and sensory aspects of the built environment, emphasizing the way individuals perceive, interpret, and interact with architectural forms.
At its core, architectural phenomenology examines how human consciousness and lived experiences shape the understanding and interpretation of architectural spaces. It investigates the relationship between people and their surroundings, emphasizing the embodied experience, emotions, memories, and cultural factors that influence our perception of architecture.
This perspective often draws from the philosophies of phenomenology, which emphasizes the study of subjective experience and challenges the conventional objective approach to architecture. Rather than focusing solely on the physical attributes and functionality of buildings, architectural phenomenology investigates the intangible and experiential qualities of spaces. It delves into the ways architecture can provoke certain emotions, evoke a sense of place, create atmospheres, and influence social interactions.
Architectural phenomenology also often addresses the temporality and contextuality of architectural experiences. It recognizes that the perception of a building or space can change with time, weather conditions, lighting, and individual differences. The understanding and appreciation of architecture are therefore seen as dynamic and dependent on the personal encounter with space.
In summary, architectural phenomenology is a theoretical and philosophical lens that approaches architecture from the perspective of human experience and perception, highlighting its subjective, emotional, and cultural dimensions. It seeks to understand and interpret the ways in which architecture influences and is influenced by the people who encounter it.
Etymology of ARCHITECTURAL PHENOMENOLOGY
The term "architectural phenomenology" is composed of two key components, "architecture" and "phenomenology", each with its own etymology.
1. Architecture: The word "architecture" derives from the Greek word "architekton", which translates to "master builder" or "chief carpenter". It further combines "archi" (chief) and "tekton" (builder). The Ancient Greeks developed the term to refer to the art and science of designing and constructing buildings.
2. Phenomenology: The term "phenomenology" originates from the Greek words "phainomenon" (that which appears, is visible) and "logos" (study, discourse, word). It was first used by the German philosopher Johann Heinrich Lambert around 1760 but gained prominence through the work of Edmund Husserl in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
