Semiotics in architecture

Semiotics in ArchitectureArchitectural representation and meanings in legislative buildings.

Kapil Kumar Sinha2010BARC023

Aim and Objective

• Aim

To understand the process of meaning formation in architecture of legislative buildings

• Objective

To study symbolic representation in architecture

To study semiotics of legislative buildings.

Scope and Limitations

• Scope

The scope of study involves the understanding of semiotics of architecture and literature case studies of legislative buildings particularly the semiotics involved in it.

• Limitations

Study is limited to the semiotic analysis, based on literature available, Detail study of social, political and cultural aspect are beyond scope.

Background study

Architecture has always been a media for representation of point of view. Since from history thoughts and ideas are part architectural expression. Architecture is a tool of transforming abstract concepts into physical reality. Symbolism becomes more important when it comes to designing of public built forms. Representing people of state and symbolizing state power is a part of legislative architecture.

• Literature study on architectural representation and meaning i.e. semiotics.

• Analyzing meanings and representation in architectural components of legislative buildings through literature data.

Methodology

Architectural representation and meaning.

• Introduction

The task of the architect is to create physical environment that is identifiable by members of society as their own.

FORMFUN

CTIO

N

Function

Form

Function

Give Meaning

Express

Architectural representation and meaning.

Meanings in architectural forms depends upon the process of interpretation, which is shaped by the society.

ELITE

ORDINARY PEOPLE

Chapel, Valleacerón

Semiotics

Semiotics is the science of studying systems of signs within a culture

Any architectural form can be a symbol ,reference, referent• Charles Jencks

Architecture as Language

In architecture apart from the possible function of the object, various other meanings are attached with that object, which is interpreted by viewer and to use them in their own way.

Characterization of Sign and Symbols

Three models

• Charles Jencks Model

• Giovanni K Koening Model

• Bonta’s Model

Charles Jencks Model

Charles Jencks Model

Giovanni K Koening Model

Architecture is a system of “sign vehicles” that promotes certain kinds of behavior.

This approach has its difficulties because it relies on human responses as the criterion by which to verify an architectural sign.

Bonta’s Model

Meanings of the Architectural Symbols

Architectural Form

Denotation

Connotation

of function

of idea

Meanings of the Architectural Symbols

• Primary Sensation:

Color and Shape

Universal for all men

• Secondary Sensation

based on individual background and culture.

Primary Sensation and Secondary SensationLe Corbusier and Ozenfant

Primary sensation are supposedly more significant than secondary ones. But the meaning are socially bounded.

Case Study

Manitoba Legislative Building

• Completed in 1920

• Masonic Architecture

• Architect: Frank Worthington Simon

Manitoba Legislative Building,Canada

Thought

Referent

Lady Manitoba

Manitoba Legislative Building, Canada


Success progress eternal youth

Agriculture, Labor, Science and Art

World War I

Courage, Vigilance, Sacrifice and Loyalty

Grand Staircase Hall(Room of Protection)

Two Bronze BisonFourteen Lion HeadEight Cattle SkullHead of MedusaHead of Athena

Grand Staircase Hall(Room of Protection)

Temple of persephone


• Intended to inform about lives of the people to representative• Depicts ancient ideology, masonic philosophy• Symbolism in context

• No Difference between symbol and referent • Coding of idea though functionally hard to achieve• Intentional index Bonta’s model of is used.

Parliament House, Canberra

• Architects Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp have created a building that is a meeting place for members of parliament and a symbol of Australia’s democracy. It is a place where decisions that shape the nation are made, a site for celebration, memorial and sometimes protest, and above all a building for the people.

Case Study


Thought

Symbol

• Hill reserved for people• Under the unifying element• Symbolically represent democracy rises from state of thing

ChambersEach chambers has a distinctive architectural style. It can also be seen in the rooftops of both the chambers are angular and are finished with the red terracotta tiles. This tile is reference to the red tiled rooftops of many Australian homes

Cabinet Room: • No natural light• Depicted large ship• Leanness to represent democracy

The Forecourt• Design to invite people• Mosaic pattern symbolize Australia

component• This space represents the period in country

history before European Settlement

The Great Verandah• Depicts tradition of verandah in Australian

House

The Great Hall• Features various panel from Australian

timbers.• Known as room of land.

The Foyer• 48 columns clad in green marble creates

impression of walk through forest.


• Symbol of national unity and commitment to democratic purpose.• Form reflects history, cultural diversity• Symbolism in context

• Difference between symbol and referent • Message of unity and aspiration which is more profound than writing• Intentional index Bonta’s model of is used.

• Every form has some meaning but associated meaning are an essential requirement.

• Both the building have almost same form of expression but different form of content.

• Interpretation is an action which is developed within society.

• Meaning Formation is a social consensus where the society’s taste matches meaning associated to the architectural form.

Conclusion

• ARCHITECTURAL SPACE AND GREIMASSIAN SEMIOTICS, Kristina Juodinytė-Kuznetsov

• ESSAY ON SEMIOTICS AND ARCHITECTURE; "EXPLAINING THE MEANING OF THE SYMBOLS IN ARCHITECTURAL , Mohammad Ali Sargazi

• FUNCTION AND SIGN: THE SEMIOTICS OF ARCHITECTURE, Umberto Eco

• MASONIC INTERPRETATION OF MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE BUILDING, Frank Albo

• ARCHITECTURE AS LANGUAGE – SEMIOTIC COMPONENTIAL ANALYSIS OF ARCHITECTURE À LA CHARLES JENCKS, http://stadtinnenarchitektur.de/?p=410

• THE SEMIOTICS OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Indyk, I.

List of review of literature