The Tangible Presence of Human Labor in Architecture

Eric Crevels (1)

1 TU Delft - Delft University of Technology

This essay aims to show that in many of the theories that fundament material culture and architectural experience, labor is implied in the constitution of material and, although seldom directly addressed, it is a determining dimension of materiality. From the Vitruvian and Renaissance treatises and Gottfried Semper to John Ruskin and the Art and Crafts Movement, the underlying presence of labor can be seen intertwined with materials whenever they are called into architectural discussion as sensorial arguments. Just like the physical qualities of materials, labor, skills and techniques are imprinted in the built environment and contribute to the creation of particular atmospheres.

Mots clés: Architectural Experience; Sensuous Perception; Material Culture; Labor

Domaines: Architecture, aménagement de l'espace

Eric Crevels. The Tangible Presence of Human Labor in Architecture. Proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Ambiances, Alloaesthesia: Senses, Inventions, Worlds, Réseau International Ambiances, Dec 2020, e-conference, France. pp. 184-189. ⟨hal-03220348⟩