Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture

Author: Christian Norberg-Schulz
Year: 1980 (Rizzoli, New York)
Source type: book
Raw file: raw/books/norberg-schulz-genius-loci.md

Summary

The foundational text of Norberg-Schulz's "phenomenology of architecture." Against abstract, scientific, functionalist theory, he argues architecture gives man an "existential foothold" and that the purpose of architecture is dwelling. "Place" — a space with a distinct character or atmosphere — is the concrete reality man must face in daily life; "architecture means to visualize the genius loci, and the task of the architect is to create meaningful places, whereby he helps man to dwell." Drawing on Heidegger (dwelling, the thing as "gathering"), he develops the complementary concepts of "space" and "character" (orientation and identification).

Key Claims

• Architecture as concretization of existential space: building on his earlier works, architecture is "a 'concretization of existential space'"; "existential foothold" and "dwelling" are synonyms, and "dwelling, in an existential sense, is the purpose of architecture."
• Place and genius loci: "A place is a space which has a distinct character. Since ancient times the genius loci, or 'spirit of place', has been recognized as the concrete reality man has to face and come to terms with in his daily life. Architecture means to visualize the genius loci."
• Place as a qualitative totality / atmosphere: the everyday life-world consists of concrete phenomena; "place is evidently an integral part of existence." "In general a place is given as such a character or 'atmosphere'. A place is therefore a qualitative, 'total' phenomenon."
• Against abstraction/science: science "abstracts from the given to arrive at neutral, 'objective' knowledge," losing the everyday life-world; the way out of the impasse is "the method known as phenomenology," "a 'return to things'."
• Space and character / orientation and identification: the concept of existential space is divided into the complementary terms "space" and "character," in accordance with the psychic functions of "orientation" and "identification."
• Concretization via gathering (Heidegger): "Concretization" is explained by "gathering" and "thing" (from Heidegger, "a thing gathers world"); the work of art "concretizes" a life-situation and "keeps" and transmits meanings. Trakl's "A Winter Evening" is read to illuminate outside/inside, threshold, and dwelling.
• The existential dimension and modern loss: "Modern architects have in general excluded the existential dimension"; Le Corbusier and especially Louis Kahn ("What does the building want to be?") are cited as exceptions. Man dwells — is at home — "when he can orientate himself within and identify himself with an environment ... when he experiences the environment as meaningful."

Connections

Concepts: Genius Loci · Existential Space · Atmosphere · Dwelling · Everyday Life
Authors: Christian Norberg-Schulz · Martin Heidegger
Debates: (modernity-and-dwelling)
Related source notes: Building Dwelling Thinking (Heidegger) · Architectural Atmospheres (Borch)

Direct Quotes

"Architecture means to visualize the genius loci, and the task of the architect is to create meaningful places, whereby he helps man to dwell."

"A place is a space which has a distinct character."

"[T]he purpose of architecture is dwelling."

"Man dwells when he can orientate himself within and identify himself with an environment ... when he experiences the environment as meaningful."

"In general a place is given as such a character or 'atmosphere' ... a qualitative, 'total' phenomenon."

Open Questions

• Can Norberg-Schulz's phenomenology of place resist being co-opted by the "branding" of place (iconic architecture, touristification), or does "genius loci" become another tool of place-marketing in the financialized city?