The practical use of space (e.g., walking through a corridor, sitting in a room).
Intentions in Architecture is more than just a book on architectural theory; it is a bold attempt to create a rigorous, integrated framework for understanding the entire architectural process. Published in 1963, its primary goal is to develop "an integrated theory of architectural description and architectural intention," where intention is defined not just by the designer, but also by the user, insofar as architecture is an art. This "intention" is the central, organizing principle of the entire work, moving beyond purely functional or aesthetic interpretations to include the full experience of a building.
A central theme of the work is the shift from seeing architecture as a purely visual or functional endeavor to understanding it as an embodiment of "existential space". Norberg-Schulz argues that meaningful architecture clarifies a human's location between the sky and the earth. By transforming a physical "site" into a meaningful "place," architecture allows individuals to "dwell" in the philosophical sense popularized by Martin Heidegger. Intentions in Architecture - Christian Norberg-Schulz intentions in architecture norberg-schulz pdf
Instead, he introduced a phenomenological framework—heavily influenced by the philosophers Edmund Husserl and Maurice Merleau-Ponty—suggesting that architecture is a symbolic form . A building carries intentions that mediate between man and his environment.
While a free, public PDF of the entire book is not legally accessible, there are several ways to obtain it: The practical use of space (e
The book’s purpose is “to develop an integrated theory of architectural description and architectural intention (and this includes the intention of the user as well as that of the designer), insofar as architecture is an art”. By foregrounding the user’s intention, Norberg-Schulz shifted the locus of architectural meaning away from pure formalism and toward a more relational, human-centered understanding.
The most cited chapter. Architecture is a "language." A column does not just hold up a roof; it means verticality, support, and dignity. Norberg-Schulz distinguishes between signs (direct referents, like a door handle) and symbols (indirect, cultural meanings). This "intention" is the central, organizing principle of
He did not want fans. He wanted serious readers.
Norberg-Schulz wrote Intentions in Architecture to bridge the gap between abstract architectural expression and concrete human experience. He argued that architecture cannot be understood merely through the lens of engineering (technics) or pure aesthetics (art). Instead, it must be viewed as a psychological and social product that satisfies human intentions.
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