Constructing Power - Architecture, Ideology and Social Practice

This volume contributes to an understanding of the architecture of societies from prehistory to the present day as a source for social history and sociology. This endeavor is based on a notion of architecture as both document and precondition of social realities, both platform for the self - projection of those in power and an arena for a continuing renegotiation of power, both a medium of codified messages and a means of spatial ordering. The representative aspects of buildings are...
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This volume contributes to an understanding of the architecture of societies from prehistory to the present day as a source for social history and sociology. This endeavor is based on a notion of architecture as both document and precondition of social realities, both platform for the self - projection of those in power and an arena for a continuing renegotiation of power, both a medium of codified messages and a means of spatial ordering. The representative aspects of buildings are not left undiscussed, but the focus is on an inquiry into how architectural space and social agency together not only communicated, but reproduced systems of values, views of the world and particular social roles. The volume includes contributions in German as well as English.

Joseph Maran is professor at the University of Heidelberg and member of the German Archaeological Institute (Germany). Carsten Juwig is a researcher at the University of Heidelberg (Germany). Hermann Schwengel is professor of sociology at the University of Freiburg (Germany). Ulrich Thaler is a researcher at the Athens Department of the German Archaeological Institute.