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Architectural history studies the
evolution and
history of
architecture across the world through a
consideration of various influences-
artistic,
socio-cultural,
political,
economic and
technological. In general, the question is one
of relating meaning (intangible functions,
purposes, symbols) with the built environment (material
tables, windows, roofs, paths) through the
necessities of life (food, work, communion etc.)
within the historical context. Architectural
history, like any other form of historical
knowledge, is subject to the limitations and
potentialities of history as a
discipline. Consequently there have been a
wide range of perspectives in the study of
architecture, most of them Western.
In the
19th century, architecture of the past was
understood from a
formal perspective, emphasizing the
morphological characteristics of form,
technique and materials. This period also saw the
emergence of the individual architect, the
amalgamation of whose conscious intentions would
become the subject of artistic movements. In these
respects, architectural history is a subdiscipline
of
art history that focuses on the historical
evolution of principles and styles in the design
of
buildings and cities.
Under the pressures of
post-modern
pluralism, recent theorists have tried to open
architecture to a wide variety of new
interpretations. New
linguistic theories were popular in the mid-1990s
and attempted to "read" architectural elements as
an autonomous language, contributing to the
ongoing
Critical Theory project. The work of
Hermeneutics constitutes another perspective
on architectural history, and centres on the
situational nature of architecture as understood
phenomenologically. Although both approaches
identify architecture as a sort of language, they
differ on the terms of reference; Critical Theory
is largely self-referential, whilst Hermeneutics
is contextual.
The current climate of opportunism can be seen
as a reaction to both the
metaphysics of the previous theories, as well
as the advance into supermodernity manifest in
globalisation, late
capitalism and
neo-liberal
democracy. An increasing awareness of
colonialism's influence has also encouraged a
re-examination of architecture in previously
colonised countries and seeks to liberate its
history and practice from inappropriate Western
doctrines.
The establishment of architectural history as a
discipline in the
West is reflected in the greater historical
clarity of western architectural development,
whilst the understanding of non-western
architecture often proceeds with less historical
context. Matters are further complicated by
incidences of Western
colonialism.
Postmodern historical narratives attempt to
address such issues but the scope of the subject
matter denies consensus among historians, even
individual historians have changed approaches
across time — the changing frameworks traced
across the many editions of
Sir Banister Fletcher's popular book is a case
in point. But in general, it can be said that
Architectural history reflects the historical
development of its time.
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