The essence of the manmade place.

Reflection on the theory by Christopher Norbert Shultz

presented in Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of
Architecture

Pic. 1. Napoli street market, 2013

Key words: Sense of space, identity, theory, history.

Course:

7X886

Theory of architecture

Student Name: Elena Shulgina.

Student number: 0887359

The essence of the manmade place.

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 2
The notion of genius loci .......................................................................................................... 3
Consciousness of the location................................................................................................ 3
In need for meaning............................................................................................................... 3
Definitive power of landscape. .............................................................................................. 4
Conclusion and Reflection. Genius loci as a crucial influence on the design. ............................ 6
References: ................................................................................................................................ 9
Illustrations: ............................................................................................................................... 9

The essence of the manmade place.

Introduction
The phenomenon of genius loci or genius of the place, as Alexander Pope brings it in his
Epistle to Lord Burlington (Pope A., 1731: lines 5760), is widely spoken of by the
professionals in architecture and urban design. In contemporary world of wide globalization
and standardization the notion of space and its unique character gains new importance to all
the space planners. Even though we immediately recognize the space that possesses genius
loci it is often very hard or almost impossible to grasp the elements that make particular
space exceptional from the first sight. The places with character attract people and function
successfully despite of or because of this character. In order to preserve the identity of the
space and work with it or within it, one has to have the knowledge of the principles that form
the identity. Furthermore it is crucial to understand why is it an important issue in terms of
space use.
The approach of Norbert Shultz to the phenomenology of the genius of the place is rather
complex and thorough. In his work, Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture
(New York 1984 (1980)), N. Shultz evaluates contextual, existential and cultural aspects that
form the unique essence of space. Through analysis of spatial properties and character of
places, settlements, and regions author explains perceptional observations. The space, as
geometrical/numerical definition and the character as perceptive definition are inseparable in
authors theory.

The essence of the manmade place.

The notion of genius loci

The theory of Norbert Shultz towards the genius loci can be represented in three interwoven
layers that together explain the way the essence of space is produced. These layers can be
formulated as environmental, psychological and historical (cultural). In his writing author
states that the identity of a place is determined by location, general spatial configuration and
characterizing articulation (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:179) These three defining properties in
turn are evaluated through the layers, mentioned above.

Consciousness of the location.

Firstly Norbert Shultz determines the relationship between man and the environment as the
main productive force of the place. Whereas the production of shelter is defined as basic
existential need of human as a way of interacting with or protecting himself from the
environment, obtaining safety and stability. But according to N. Shultz , safety is not only
achieved through the enclosure of space but also through the familiarity and of human with
his environment. Therefore the ability to orient himself within the place and locate the place
in relation to the wider environment produces the subconscious sense of belonging to the
space. Referring to Kevin Lynch, who specifies the means of orientation within the space as
node, path, edge and district, and Paolo Portoghesi, who sees the space being generated
out of concrete situation, author concludes that the place has to facilitate the ease of
orientation through spatial structure and provide objects for personal identification (NorbergSchulz, C., 1980:12). The character of the natural environment defines the type of space that
is produced for enclosure and the meaning of this space for human. Character, here is meant
not only as topographic or climatic feature, but also an emotional aspect. Norbert Shultz
states that, the distinctive quality of any landscape is extension, and its particular character
and spatial properties are determined by how it extends (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:12).
Whereas the darkness and gloominess of the Norwegian forest encourages search for
protection, enclosure, on the other hand, the hilly landscape of southern Europe, providing
the view over vast territories encourages interaction with the environment. This relationship
is articulated through the boundary and the character of that boundary. Whereas
configuration, geometry, amount and position of openings define the relationship between
the space and the environment. Here border plays dual role it is a way of defining the
structure of the place, and direction of movement, and at the same time defines the
character and functionality through the way how it is being placed and how it was being built.

In need for meaning.

The man intervention in the natural environment is described by Christian Norberg Shultz
though 3 principles (relations) : visual, complimentary and symbolic (Norberg-Schulz, C.,
1980:17). Whereas in the first principle describes the relation to nature or relation to the
buildings that were previously seen by the man, complementary principle aims to enhance

The essence of the manmade place.

environment for a better living conditions, and symbolic aims at creation of new meanings for
place, whereas place becomes unique and at the same time transferable to a different
location with its meaning and visual expression. Here we arrive at the notion of Gestalt, the
need for meaningfulness in human life, which is also transferred to the place production.
Herein the artefacts , which would support the essence of meaningfulness and gathering in
the settlement, are being erected (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:10). The centre, path and
domain are also becoming the means of identification (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:61 ).
Therefore man relates to the given environment and transforms it through emphasis or
opposition in order to produce meaningful places and define, concretise the world.

Definitive power of landscape.

Nature plays initial definitive role in human perception of space and build forms. Manmade
structure, being placed between the sky and the ground relates to both, and therefore
building form resembles the relationship between sky and earth, and through that obtains
meaning. In the same way mountain was considered to be a secret place due to its position
and form.
The mountain, thus, belongs to the earth, but it rises towards the sky. It is
high, it is close to heaven, it is a meeting place, where two basic elements
come together (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:17)
The topography and the climatic situation are defining the perception of human within the
nature depending on the character of light they produce. In that way the openness of
landscape and the romantic quality of light in northern Europe (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:37)
produced gothic architecture, while middle eastern building features high level of enclosure
and privacy, that can be read as opposition towards the totality of the desert. Therefore the
natural landscape produces cultural setting through the building form, as observed by the
author. In a way that the landscape is characterized by its extension, the manmade structure
is characterized by longitudinally, whereas the walls are defining spatial boundaries and the
roof form is defining character through the relationship between verticals and horizontals. In
the same way as mountain attains meaning the place gets its character from the relation to
the ground and the sky or from how building stands and rises (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:67 ).
We can, therefore, conclude, that different types of landscapes may produce different types
of architectural form. This relationship is based upon visual, complimentary and symbolic
relation to nature. There are three definitions of landscape, according to Norderd Shultz.
Romantic landscape (Nordic) implies the hidden meaning and intimacy as well as interaction
between man and his environment (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:42 ), what results in the
complex outside-inside relationships and wild silhouettes, which, as according to author are
visible in the towers and spires of mediaeval towns and rich detailing, that is also present in
Art Nouveau architecture and forest architecture of Alvar Aalto (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:6870 ). Another example is Prague, where every old house is simultaneously ground hugging

The essence of the manmade place.

and aspiring (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:81 ). Cosmic landscape, on the other hand, is described
as grandeurs and ovepowering. (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:45 ). Therefore the meaningful
place in that landscape is a microcosm that is abstracted from the urban setting, as in middle
eastern settlements. Whereas residential quarters have secluded labyrinthine structure and
public buildings are arranged within rigid orthogonal structure (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:72)
The classical landscape, on the other hand, being described by Norberg Shultz as a
meaningful order of distinct, individual places (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:46 ) and human
places himself in front of nature as equal partner. The settlement in classical landscape is
arranged as interaction of active and passive members (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980:74 ). In this
setting the individual structures are symmetrical, while the settlement structure follows
topographical location. Furthermore, the economic and political situation in the region
effects the essence of space. Norbert Schultz gives examples of Prague and Khartoum as
places with certain essence of space. Within the description of these cities he notes the
importance of social, economic and political setting, in the area as an influence on the
essence of space. Here author explains that the site was chosen for establishing a settlement
not only because of its beauty, but because it satisfied the three basic demands of the early
Middle Ages: the flat plain for the market place, the hill or protecting castle, and the ford for
communication and commerce. Therefore the site was chosen and developed as a dense
urban settlement due to congruity with the socio economic system in the society. In
Khartoum, on the other hand, the colonial hierarchical structure transformed the middle
eastern urban development, but according to author, have not destroyed the genius loci of
the space, but contributed to the essence of place. Due to the strong cosmic character of the
desert and significance of the river Nile in the landscape the colonial settlement was formed
within the logic dictated by the cosmic landscape, precisely the street orientation according
to the sun path, whereas streets are wide and urban squares spatious. Therefore the new
development became a match to the middle eastern cluttered settlement, where the open
space acted as a definition of the place with the higher importance, such as Mosque or public
building (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980: 113-132). In the same way as colonial setting merged into
the Arabic settlement the different styles and epochs are merged in Prague, but here styles
are being converted to match the character of the place. As described by Norbert Shultz in
Prague the styles are converted to fit the mythology of the place, in such way, the gothic style
obtains a liberating meaning (Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980: 105) in the context of earth hugging
(Norberg-Schulz, C., 1980: 83) building form.
Having all above said in mind we can state that the space, as it is depicted in the writing by
Norvert Shultz, possesses genius loci through the meanings that are assigned to it. These
meanings may have different nature: with relation to landscape, functional, cultural, political
and economic, but the combination of this meanings creates the genius loci.

The essence of the manmade place.

Conclusion and Reflection. Genius loci as a crucial

influence on the design.
In order to conclude the observations on theory on genius loci I would like to emphasize the
importance of fitting into the place, when designing a new settlement, district or a building.
If the genius of space is formed by interwoven relationship to the landscape, social system,
human need for expression and meaning, orientation within and belonging to space, the
designer of the new element within the existing realm has to perceive and thoroughly
analyze the qualities that are formed in the certain place under the influence of the above
aspects. The new development may oppose or complement the existing structure and
character, but has to be in a dialogue with it. In Prague, as it is described by Norbert Shultz,
the coherent and balanced development of the city is achieved due to the overwhelming
misterious essence of place. Whereas city, through years was inhabited by people of
different nationalities with different behavior, who brought different architectural styles in
the city. All these styles were transformed by the context of the city and pursued its logic. But
Prague can be seen as an example of a place with a very powerful essence of space, while
other places may have less distinctive or even concealed character. Therefore the personal
design ambition or belonging to a particular style has less importance, when the settlement is
perceived with the concept of genius loci in mind. It is Important to realize the functionality
and idea within the logic and hierarchy of a particular place in order to create meaningful,
and therefore appealing space.
In contemporary architecture one can notice two vivid approaches to the realization of spirit
of space. The architects an theoreticians such as Peter Zumthor and Juhani Palaasma pay lot
of attention to atmospheres in their work. I see atmospheres having synonymous meaning
to genius loci. Peter Zumthor, for example in his work Atmospheres and the interview for
OASE magazines explains his approach as sensual, whereas the history of place is of a great
importance for the designer. By history, as he evaluates on that, is not the historical data, but
the sequence of the events that took place in a particular place. Here the way this history
adopts the perception of the space by the person is important. Therefore the little details that
form that perception are to be taken in consideration in the new development and through
these details the new built elements inevitably become a part of the place.

Pic 2. The Sage, Gateshead, UK

The essence of the manmade place.

The other evident approach in contemporary architecture is connection with the space
through the direct metaphor, and is used primarily when designing iconic buildings. That
approach, in my opinion, is the result of globalization and little understanding of the genius
of the space. The two vivid examples are the Sage concert hall by Sir Norman Foster in
Gateshead, UK (2004) (pic.2) and the National Kaohsiung Center of the Arts by architectural
buro Mecanoo (2006 - 2016) in Taiwan (pic.3). The form of the Sage concert hall is generated
as a reference to the shell form, that in turn refers to the coastal economy and lifestyle of the
whole region. Even though the reference is made towards some aspects of what makes up
the living in the region, very little concern is given to the structure of the town and even the
lifestyle of the local residents. Located in a small settlement, building
of aSage,
blown
up scale
Pic. 2. The
Gateshead,
UK
turns its back to the settlement and orients itself to the river. That makes it a perfect
landmark and reference point. But it does not address a small scale settlement of Gateshead
neither in its function nor in the logic of the city.

Pic. 3. National Kaohsiung Center of the Arts, Taiwan.

The second referenced project is currently being realized in Taiwan. It has a similar ambition
of reference to the natural elements of the area. Here the team of architects, as is described
by Francine Houben in video Banyan Plaza - Taiwan mega-theatre under construction
(2014), referenced the typical features of the local landscape secluded areas defined by the
tree structures, as well as the climatic conditions of the place, that dictate the need for the
secluded public space, as protection from constant rains. But, again, the design takes in
consideration the need for enclosure for the particular region and references natural
landscape, but the form is realized in scale, at which the resemblance is hardly recognized by
the user. Also the morphology of the urban settlement does not seem to be considered in
the design.
Having these approaches towards place design in mind I would like to conclude that in order
to produce a meaningful form or space that belongs to a certain place and is clear and

The essence of the manmade place.

understandable by people, the full consideration of the genius loci of the particular place is
important. Furthermore, all the interwoven layers (environmental, psychological and
historical), that are described by Christian Norbert Shultz are to be reflected, when designing
a new element within the built environment.

The essence of the manmade place.

References:
Banyan Plaza - Taiwan mega-theatre under construction (2014),

video, Mecanoo, 05
November, viewed 3 January 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIYufMi0Kls.
Havik K, Tielens G., (2013.), Concentrated Confidence, Visit to Peter Zumthor, OASE 91, pp.
59-82
Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980) Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, New
York, Rizzoli.
Pope, A. (1731) Epistle to Lord Burlington reprinted in Davis, H. (Ed.) (1966) Pope:
Poetical Works, pp. 314321, London, Oxford University Press.
Zumthor, P (2006), Atmospheres, Birkhauser Verlag AG, Basel, Swizerland.

Illustrations:
Pic 1. The Napoli Street Market, 2013 - By author
Pic 2. The Sage, Gateshead, UK, photograph, viewed 22.11.2015
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/the-sage-gateshead/gallery/
Pic 3. National Kaohsiung Center of the Arts, Taiwan., photograph, viewed 22.11.2015
http://www.mecanoo.nl/Projects/project/54/National-Kaohsiung-Center-for-the-Arts-WeiWu-Ying?t=0