ARCH3009 ARCHITECTURE, THEORY AND CRITIQUE

Unit Coordinator: Dr Annette Condello

Assignment 2: Research Essay

The Principles of Structuralism: A Social Shift in
Historical and Contemporary Italian Architecture

Tin Tu
18848104
Abstract

The theory of structuralism is often quite misunderstood and contains a much broader
understanding than what we know as structuralism today. Structuralism generally speaking,
considers the aspects of human behaviour and culture. A method of interpretation used in
architecture that analyses social as well as cultural conditions of buildings that are of structuralist
influence. The emphasis on Italian architecture of Naples contain obscured elements that are yet
to be critiqued. To account for this, this research essay will primarily focus on the social aspects
and explore expressing and cultural trends within Italian architecture that contains influence
from the structuralist theory. In addition, putting focus on the main aspects of structuralism, an
array of past and contemporary theories will be addressed in relation to structuralism and what
influences it has on the architectural site and context of specific historical buildings.

The theory of structuralism emphasises on the notion of social patterns and social behaviour amongst a
site of study. In architecture, structuralism signifies a mode of thinking but more so a tool for critique
(Smithson 1975) whereby elements that consists from buildings are analysed in terms of social
behaviours and what effects are present during its deconstruction phenomena. Research into significant
authors such as Lisbeth Soderqvist, Annette Condello and Thomas Patin, provides formal insight into
the theories of structuralism and to what extent, the influences it has upon preceding and contemporary
architecture. The analysis between the relationship of architecture and structuralism signifies
importance as social and cultural aspects yield prominence and addresses the impact it has on Italian
architecture, more specifically architecture constituting the city of Naples. Not only will the critical
analysis put emphasis on structuralism and its three main elements consisting of the binary system,
human process and perception of linguistics but further discussion will be addressed on the influence it
has on luxurious architecture and other historical theories such as deconstruction, post-structuralism
and what it effects it has on the post-modern generation.

One of three main aspects of structuralism is the characteristic of binary pairs. The binary pairs in
essence, is associated with structuralism in which it idealises two elements of architecture which are
considered to be distinctive from one another (Soderqvist 2011). To simply state, they are often
considered as distinctive pairs. The characteristics of an element that often functions naturally are placed
in an environment that is opposite from where it came from. In an architectural context, Lisbeth
Soderqvist, author of the article Structuralism in Architecture: a definition elaborates on this
characteristic as “outside/inside, nature/culture” (Soderqvist 2011, 2) denoting that materials that we
often know which are placed on the outside challenges the architectural notion by placing them inside.
A distinct example that she provides is at the Stockholm University, main entrance (Soderqvist 2011,
2). Naturally speaking, stones or any other form of aggregate are represented as an outdoor element,
rather than an indoor. However, an image personally captured by Soderqvist displays stones
surrounding the site of the university, are situated inside the building rather than outside, indicating that
structuralism works in both forms, the binary system influencing what she calls “outside/inside”
(Soderqvist 2011, 2) and that surrounding nature influences culture within the building. Both effects
regard the influence of how the elements of the site stimulates social concepts and perception.

Italian architecture that introduces the binary system into its space is represented through Lucullus and
his early European architecture, more noticeably the city of Naples of Italy (Condello 2009). A roman
general and politician Lucullus (Brecht and Reynolds 2013), whose name still remains synonymous
centralises the concept of luxury and its relationship within the field of architecture (Kellum 2011).
Studies of John D’Arms Romans of the Bay of Naples: A Social and Cultural Study of the Villas and
their Owners from 150 B.C. and A.D. 400 are well documented in his book and describes what is known
as the fashionable part of Naples and Roman residential villas and their impact upon the shifting notions
of luxury and formalities (D’Arms 1970). His architectural works consisting of the Bay of Naples and
Gardens from today, are long vanished (Condello 2009) but is roughly traced back to be being built
around early 70 – 58 BC (D’Arms 1970). It is his works amongst the Bay and Gardens that portray one
of his best and most extraordinary works. His historical pieces of architecture amongst the ancient era
influenced the way how luxury in architecture is perceived today. It’s association with pleasure and
pleasurable sources such as scenic views, pleasant courtyards and extrinsic use of materials are some
of the common elements that are shared in similar association with how society views contemporary
luxury. Luxury surrounding the Bay of Naples introduced into structuralism adheres to the binary
system whereby the surrounding context and site contains common spaces that socially, would be
known to be placed oppositely from where it derived. That is, the natural features such as raw concrete
are generally preserved outside than inside. Needless to say, that concrete at its rawest form could in
any case be ornamented by an aesthetic material. As Condello mentioned in her book The Architecture
of Luxury and her thesis From Luxury to Architecture, the likely use of concrete within architecture are
“ornamented with mosaics or clad with marble” (Condello 2014, 40) indicating that the excessive use
of various materials introduces the binary system in the form of materiality. The materials being sited
in different locations and not just one area gives the site distinct function and supports how the binary
system operates in different scenarios within architecture. The evidential use of the binary system in
correlation with architectures luxury not only comes in the form of space but is also represented through
differentiated use of materials, which is portrayed in Lucullus’s architecture of the Bay of Naples as a
variation in social norms and cultural understanding.

Structuralism and its principle of human cognitive process is reflected through a series of social context
and regulation of building forms that are measured by levels of complexity. To simply state, the human
cognitive process of structuralism associates its expression through a building that’s a structuralist
influence (Soderqvist 2011). The human intellect often considers a variety of variation in mental
patterns, patterns that are perceived in one’s mind that influence how society as a whole, view
architecture through different regulation of methodologies and approaches. As Soderqvist states in her
article mentioned previously, “physical structures have to reflect mental patterns, what they called
‘patterns of association’” (Soderqvist 2011, 3). She ignites the idea that architecture of the structuralist
influence, contains patterns that can be associated to how the human cognitive mind develops when
processing the different relationships with buildings. Conversely buildings that do not consider
elements of the structuralist principles are generally perceived as complex whereby people that attempt
to understand the building do not reach a certain level of perception. Similarly mentioned, in the article
From Deep Structure to an Architecture in Suspense: Peter Eisenman, Structuralism, and
Deconstruction authored by Thomas Patin, quotes that “Social order depends on the control of peoples
bodies and behaviours, not thoughts” (Patin 1993, 96), clarifying that a society that idolizes theory as a
tool for critique, is structured in a way that commences with an individual’s perception of mind followed
by their social linguistic and behaviour that attempts to support that perception while critiquing.

Architecture of the European upbringing influences how Italian architecture is perceived through form
and level of complexity and how the social intellects of the site view specific parts of the building
through different tools of critique. Meredith Gill, reviewer of the book The Stone of Naples: Church
Building in Angevin Italy, 1266-1343, authored by Caroline Astrid Bruzelius, analyses Bruzelius
discussion on distinct Italian architecture where most structured buildings follow local forms of “ancient
columns, wooden truss ceilings, high transepts and flat wall surfaces” (Gill 2007, 167). Addressed in a
similar light, Yasmine Sabry Hegzi and Noura Anwar Abdel-Fatahs article Quantifying Students
Perception for Deconstruction Architecture provides examples of deconstructivist architecture and its
perceptions around irregularity of form and the complexity of characteristics around structures with a
flat façade (Hegzi and Noura 2017). Hegzi and Noura states

“Another example is how buildings with flat facades and repeated windows, those that
create a pattern, are less complex than the buildings that have an irregular form with
less repetitive patterns” (Hegzi and Noura 2017, 2746).

Both articles respective to their authors, emphasise on the characteristic of a façade being the main
element of a building that’s of structuralist and deconstructivist influence. The inherit of this feature
amongst Italian architecture details the complexion of the buildings form, where wall surfaces and
irregularity of structure are distinct and that form is uncompromised in terms of social and site context
behaviours. The site and context of the building being referred as social public, view this characteristic
as a tool of perception (Hegzi and Noura 2017). A historical piece of architecture built in 1751 emerged
as one of the largest palaces to be built in Europe amongst the 18th century (Titomanlioa 2013), the
Royal Palace of Caserta evidences as one of the most historical buildings to be built in Caserta of
Naples. This baroque and distinct early type of neoclassical architecture provides cases where social
order and human perception are present and that the influence of form and complexity are visible in the
buildings façade. As mentioned earlier, the site of the building refers to the social public, thus the social
public perceives this type of architecture to be influenced via its level of complexity. The buildings
form is perceived by analysing the structural façade and how inclusive it is of repeated windows and
less repetitive patterns, all of which are accomplished to achieve a less complex perception. The human
perception from the social public derives at an individual’s perception of the building and what
influences it has on society as a whole. The architecture of Europe not only translates its complexion of
form into a social perception but also considers how the cognitive social behaviours of people are
perceived in critiquing such elements such as the façade of a structuralist and deconstructivist building.

Linguistics in architecture as a structuralist principle, shapes how architecture is viewed and essentially
provides a greater form of communication and theoretical framework for the field of study (Clarke and
Crossley 2000). The study of linguistics contains content studied around how language develops into
architecture and what are the common elements within structures that can be extracted to determine
what effects are present within the social context. Linguistics in an architectural sense, is often referred
to as structural linguistics. This is established between the connection of language and built forms and
its expression between meaning and context. Georgia Clarke and Paul Crossley, author of the renowned
book Architecture and Language introduces architecture and its affiliation between language, states that
this relationship is “the classic analogy between linguistic and visual style (Clarke and Crossley 2000,
1). Meaning that architecture serves as a visual cue, a cue in which stimulates notions of perception
within structuralist linguistics (Patin 1993). Clark and Crossleys introduction surrounding the context
of linguistics translates into what author Thomas Patin perceives as a structuralist stimulation. In his
article mentioned previously discussing Peter Eisenman’s perception within the structuralism, post-
structuralism and deconstruction, Patin states that

“Eisenman’s acceptance of the notion that a thing is perceived as a sign within a field
of differences attaches his thinking to structuralist linguistics. To cement the
connection of his ideas of architecture to linguistics, however, Eisenman developed his
theory of conceptual architecture” (Patin 1993, 90).

Formally speaking that Eisenman’s intention was to connect formalism and linguistics logically through
understandings of how the post-structuralism was articulated (Patin 1993). However, Eisenman’s
attempt to understand the works of Jacques Derrida in regard to the post-structuralism raised curiosity
as he eventually saw a paradox for architecture (Patin 1993) and the importance of the field being
immersed in what he states as the “experience of presence” (Patin 1993, 93). Eisenman saw purpose in
the linguistics field and in sense, attempted to promote experience of place and presence within the
linguistic fields of structuralist architecture through social understandings and cultural perceptions
(Patin 1993).

The examination of linguistics in architecture often narrates how the sense of communication is
imbedded. Architecture communicates a language and that buildings communicate a distinct form that
affects the social, cultural and environmental context of the site. Martin Donougho in his article The
Language of Architecture discusses language and its fusion within the built environment context to be
of significant influence however, poses a question “And if it is true that architecture is communication,
what information is conveyed, to whom, and by whom?” (Donougho 1987, 56), questioning to what
extent, how significant the impact of linguistics and communication is on architecture and its
surrounding site. The impact of linguistics and communication in architecture is characterized in the
study of Italian architecture specifically in the city of Naples. An iconic and compelling piece of
architectural landmark built in 1282 (Divitiis 2013) by Charles I (commonly known as Charles of
Anjou) after following the plans developed by French architect, Pierre de Chaule (Divitiis 2015), the
Castel Nuovo exemplifies as one of the most noticeable buildings in Italy that is influenced by the
impacts of linguistics. The structure reiterates its significance through its history dating back to royal
settlement of the King of Naples (Clarke 2008). The way in which linguistics is incorporated into the
building is through its variation of languages and cultures represented in the main court inside the
building (Clarke 2008). The strategic placement of the building south of the heart of Naples adjacent to
the coast entices ethnics of different social and cultural backgrounds to migrate and experience different
styles and language elements that the building entailed. In another instance, Georgia Clarke, author of
the article Architecture, Languages and Style in the Fifteenth-Century Italy also mentions that the
different cultural identities are somewhat a social cue that is the resultant of functional parts of the
building, like a program, that details parts of a building and its uses (Clarke 2008). Clarkes brief
discussion on social cues and identity from programs relates back to that of Castel Nuovo, which can
be served as a programmatic building that provides purpose for different social classes to experience. It
is to say that, the linguistic principle idolises language and communication to critique social and cultural
aspects of the renowned building Castel Nuovo and that authors such as Patin, Clark and Crossley play
an important role in analysing architectural theories to improve overall theoretical framework of
architecture.

Overall, the three main aspects comprising of the binary pairs, human cognitive process and linguistics
make up the theory of structuralism. It is these elements that provides architecture with a tool for
critiquing social and cultural elements of Naples architecture. Significant authors such as Soderqvist,
Condello as well as Patin provide insightful analysis on architectural theories consisting of
structuralism, deconstruction, post-structuralism and post-modernism. With emphasis on structuralism,
it is this theory that generates a broader understanding on how architecture can create distinct and
expressive relationships between past and contemporary architectural generation.
 References

1) Bertolt, Brecht, and Hoffman Reynolds. 2013. The Trial of Lucullus / Bertolt Brecht ; Translated
by H.R. Hays. London: Bloomsbury
http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51110973100001951

2) Clarke, Georgia, and Paul Crossley. 2000. Architecture and Language. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a645/8608f09b9358f83070edb28633c8f2c8e1f5.
pdf

3) Clarke, Georgia. 2008. “Architecture, Languages and Style in Fifteenth-Century Italy.” Journal of
the Warburg and Courtauld Institues 71: 169-189
https://www.jstor.org/stable/20462781

4) Condello, Annette. 2009. “From Luxury and Architecture” PhD diss. University of Western
Australia (UWA).
https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/files/3224587/Condello_Annette_Nina_2009.pdf

5) Condello, Annette. 2014. The Architecture of Luxury. Farnham: Routledge.

https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/curtin/reader.action?docID=1589630

6) Daglioglu, Esin Komez. 2015. “The Context Debate: An Archarology.” Architectural Theory
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https://doi.org/10.1080/13264826.2016.1170058

7) D’Arms, John. 1970. Romans of the Bay of Naples: A Social and Cultural Study of the Villas and
their owners from 150 B.C. to A.D. 400. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
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8) Divitiis, Bianca. 2015. “Alfonso I of Naples and the Art of Building: Castel Nuovo in a European
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9) Divitiis, Bianca. 2013. “Castel Nuovo and Castel Capuano in Naples: The Transformation of Two
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10) Donougho, Martin. 1987. “The Language of Architecture.” The Journal of Aesthetic Education 21
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12) Hegzi, Yasmine, and Noura Anwar Abdel-Fatah. 2017. “Quantifying student’s Perception for
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15) Smithson, Isaiah. 1975. “Structuralism as a Method of Literary Criticism.” National Council of
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