Geographies of Architecture: The Multiple Lives of Buildings

Abstract

17Arguably, cultural geography began with the study of architectural forms. The first half of 18 this article traces the geographical study of buildings as a relatively small but significant sub- The second, shorter, part of the article highlights outlines recent research on the geographies 29 of architecture that has adopted elements of each approach to make a number of contributions 30 to the study of cultural geography. Two key themes are considered: movement/stasis; the 31 politics of architectural design and practice. Consideration of these themes anticipates a 32 conclusion with some broad suggestions for future geographical research on architecture.

Cold Comfort? Reconceiving the Practices of Bathing in British Self-Build Eco-Homes

“…As Kraftl (2007) argued, ecotopias are already deeply unsettling for much of mainstream society. Despite often containing a desire and vision of comfort, safety, and homeyness, utopias (and the ecohouses envisioned within them) often nonetheless challenge the societal order.…”

“…As Kraftl (2007) suggested, some in eco-communities actively seek discomfort in the process of achieving their end goal of an ecotopia: the very mechanism required to achieve an ecotopia has to be discomforting for both society at large and those inside such communities. It is both about sacrifice for the environment and a way of showing themselves as being sufficiently dedicated to their cause.…”

“…This was perhaps best summarized by Kraftl (2007) when he argued that "often this involves a comforting return to the materiality and imagery of nature, housed in 'green buildings' which phenomenologically connect with the earth and the memory in a form of homely, perhaps 'originary' dwelling" (123).…”

“…The analysis of eco-housing has been largely ignored by geographers, leaving it to architects and engineers to design, test, and evaluate their potential. A geographical perspective adds a grounded concern not just with occupant behavior (already central to many architectural approaches) but with practices; it enables a political reading of the processes of eco-housing; creates space for analysis of feelings, emotions, and attachments; and thus enables a more holistic (and multiscalar) understanding of the interplay among people, society, and structures (Kraftl 2010;Jacobs and Merriman 2011;Vasudevan 2011;Chatterton 2013). Few places offer geographers such opportunity to interrogate a space so laden and imbued with so many meanings, while also offering individuals possibilities for self-expression and the ability to change the physical as well as the social structure.…”

Architectural movements, utopian moments: (in)coherent renderings of the hundertwasser‐haus, vienna

“…Geographers and architectural historians have adopted diverse approaches to the study of buildings (compare, e.g., Goss 1988;Borden et al 2001;Lees 2001;Jacobs 2006;Kraftl 2010). …”