Expression (Lat. expressio) in

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing building ...

implies a clear and authentic displaying of the character or personality of an individual (

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

). The expression is often identified with the architectural movement of Expressionism, whose main starting point and aim is to present and express what has been "seen" or experienced in the inner eye of the mind, heart and soul, i.e. to express the subjective moods and feelings without referring to conventional and "objective" values, judgements and truths.

Meaning

The main problem in the critical analysis of the theoretical interpretations of the

concept Concepts are defined as abstract ideas. They are understood to be the fundamental building blocks of the concept behind principles, thoughts and beliefs. They play an important role in all aspects of cognition. As such, concepts are studied by ...

of expression in architecture, lies in the fact that the concept of expression is used in different ways in different fields of

science Science is a systematic endeavor that Scientific method, builds and organizes knowledge in the form of Testability, testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earli ...

and art. Regarding the

of expression, the following interpretations can often be found: *an activity or way of transforming an idea into words; *showing

emotions Emotions are mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition. ...

, feelings etc.; *conveying emotions by way of music, images etc.; *

facial expression A facial expression is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face. According to one set of controversial theories, these movements convey the emotional state of an individual to observers. Facial expressions are ...

showing mood or emotion; *choice of words,

phrases In syntax and grammar, a phrase is a group of words or singular word acting as a grammatical unit. For instance, the English expression "the very happy squirrel" is a noun phrase which contains the adjective phrase "very happy". Phrases can consi ...

, syntax, intonation etc., in communication; *a specific

phrase In syntax and grammar, a phrase is a group of words or singular word acting as a grammatical unit. For instance, the English expression "the very happy squirrel" is a noun phrase which contains the adjective phrase "very happy". Phrases can consi ...

commonly used to express something etc. In the widest sense, the

of expression refers to the activity undertaken with a specific intention. However, what is the aim of expressing something will depend on the field in which the term is used. With this is mind, some authors emphasize the

unconscious Unconscious may refer to: Physiology * Unconsciousness, the lack of consciousness or responsiveness to people and other environmental stimuli Psychology * Unconscious mind, the mind operating well outside the attention of the conscious mind a ...

or spontaneous character of expression, while others emphasize its cognitive aspect. Expression can also be defined as part of the

communication Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inqui ...

process which consists of two complementary components, expression (transmitted information) and impression (received information).see also Robinson, 2007.

References

{{Reflist Aesthetics Architecture

Meaning

See also

Further reading

References