Heidegger's Architecture: An Analysis

In order to understand Heidegger's view of architecture and its role in society, it is important first of all to understand what Heidegger has to say about technology as well as his talismanic approach to construction. This "construction" needs to be recognized not so much as a literal constructing of objects in the physical world but rather as a way of looking at that world and as a way of using that world so that human beings become part of the world rather than attempting to dominate it or tame it or simply use it for their own ends. At the same time, Heidegger seems to be indicating that we cannot be other than what we are, i.e. we cannot escape modernity and the quest for a rational explanation for the universe because it is what we are and what we have built for ourselves.

In this paper, what Heidegger means by "building," "dwelling" and "thinking" will be examined. It is hoped that these concepts as complex as they are when handled by Heidegger and filtered through his holistic world view can result in an understandable analysis of Heidegger's approach to architecture. However, it is to be understood that the term "architecture" would have for Heidegger much more of an encompassing meaning than what, for example, an architect would mean by it. It is hoped that the essay can dig away at these deeper meanings in order to connect architecture (what humans build as a way of creating homes and roots, shelter and

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