Christian Norberg-Schulz
Encyclopedia
Christian Norberg-Schulz (1926–2000) was a Norwegian architect, architectural historian
and theorist.
He was born in Oslo
. He is the father of singer Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz
.
Though Norberg-Schulz had practiced as an architect in his home country, he is well-known internationally both for his books on architectural history
(in particular Italian classical architecture
, especially the Baroque
) and for his writings on theory. His concerns for theory can be characterised by a subtle shift from the analytical and psychological concerns of his earlier writings to the issue of phenomenology of place, being one of the first architectural theorists to bring the thinking of Martin Heidegger
to the field.
During 1974 he taught an architecture class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Architecture Department.
In 1996 he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award.
Architectural historian
A architectural historian is a person who studies and writes about the history of architecture, and is regarded as an authority on it Similar profession are known widely such as Historian, Art historian and Archaeologist. Architectural historians survey areas that are often threatened by extinction...
and theorist.
He was born in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. He is the father of singer Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz
Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz
Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz is a Norwegian/Italian operatic soprano.-Career:Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz is the daughter of the Norwegian architectural historian and theorist, Christian Norberg-Schulz , and the Italian translator and writer Anna Maria de Dominicis...
.
Though Norberg-Schulz had practiced as an architect in his home country, he is well-known internationally both for his books on architectural history
Architectural History
Architectural History is the main journal of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain .The journal is published each autumn. The architecture of the British Isles is a major theme of the journal, although it includes more general papers on the history of architecture. Member of...
(in particular Italian classical architecture
Classical architecture
Classical architecture is a mode of architecture employing vocabulary derived in part from the Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity, enriched by classicizing architectural practice in Europe since the Renaissance...
, especially the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
) and for his writings on theory. His concerns for theory can be characterised by a subtle shift from the analytical and psychological concerns of his earlier writings to the issue of phenomenology of place, being one of the first architectural theorists to bring the thinking of Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher known for his existential and phenomenological explorations of the "question of Being."...
to the field.
During 1974 he taught an architecture class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Architecture Department.
In 1996 he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award.
Books in English by Norberg-Schulz
- Intentions in Architecture MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1965.
- Existence, Space and Architecture Praeger Publishers, London, 1971
- Meaning in Western Architecture Rizzoli, New York, 1974.
- Baroque Architecture Rizzoli, Milan, 1979.
- Late Baroque and Rococo Architecture Rizzoli, Milan, 1980.
- Genius Loci, Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture Rizzoli, New York. 1980.
- Modern Norwegian Architecture Scandinavian University Press, Oslo, 1987.
- New World Architecture Princeton Architectural Press, New York, 1988.
- Concept of Dwelling Rizzoli, New York. 1993.
- Nightlands. Nordic Building, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1997.
- Principles of Modern Architecture Andreas Papadakis Publishers, London, 2000.
- Architecture: Presence, Language, Place Skira, Milan, 2000.
In popular culture
- Mark Z. DanielewskiMark Z. DanielewskiMark Z. Danielewski, born March 5, 1966 in New York City, New York, is an American author, best known for his debut novel House of Leaves...
quotes Norberg-Schulz on page 74 of his novel House of LeavesHouse of LeavesHouse of Leaves is the debut novel by the American author Mark Z. Danielewski, published by Pantheon Books. The novel quickly became a bestseller following its March 7, 2000 release. It was followed by a companion piece, The Whalestoe Letters...
, and then again on pages 170-1 (in the second edition).