Representation, Meanings, and the Political: A Lefebvrian Analysis of Architecture

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Nattawut Usavagovitwong

Abstract

The interconnections between sociology and the built environment, especially in spatial disciplines
closely aligned to architectural studies, have been widely discussed and criticized by political, social, and
geographical disciplines. By contrast, this occurs rarely within the field of architecture, even though these
socio-spatial dimensions are directly relevant. The paper aims to contribute to the understanding of spatialarchitectural
and social-imaginary relationships by adopting Henri Lefebvre’s dynamic model, in which the
interplay of the inherent design process and the choice of representation generated act as internal and external
factors. Drawing on pertinent literature, phenomena, and interpretations of spatial-social space manipulation, the author posits that politics as an internal and external force has influenced representation. This cannot be overlooked with regard to the creation of a built environment that generates new meanings and memories via recognition and reproduction of space in social-spatial practice.


 

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