Architectural Chronology in Meaning in Western Architecture

Christian Norberg-Schulz (1926~2000), Norwegian architect, architectural historian and theorist has written extensively on architecture. A review of his theoretical works demonstrates a notable shift from the analytical and psychological concerns in his earlier writings to the issue of phenomenology of place. He is one of the first architectural theorists to introduce the philosophy of Martin Heidegger (1889~1976) to architecture. Meaning in Western Architecture (1974) is among his earlier books, which presents his peculiar chronological classification of Western architecture in light of changes in human existence and the role of meaning throughout history. This paper presents an analytical criticism of this book to explain the meaning and purpose of his methodology and chronological classification.