Beschreibung
The present volume is aimed at contributing to an understanding of the architecture of
societies from prehistory to the present day as a source for social history and sociology. This
endeavour 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 enquiry into how architectural space and social agency together not only communicated,
but reproduced systems of values, views of the world and particular social roles.
