Embodiment and Architecture: Reinterpreting Human-Body Dynamics Across Centuries

The role of the human body in cognitive science approaches has often been overshadowed by the prevailing mindset of mind-body dualism within architectural theory over the course of centuries. Despite the body's crucial significance in cognitive viewpoints within architectural theory, it prompts us to reflect on its historical standing and cognitive function evolution. The inquiry lies in understanding how the body and its cognitive implications have shaped the progression of architectural theory throughout time. Through the lens of logical reasoning and a descriptive-analytical approach, this article endeavors to delve into the nuanced exploration of the body across various architectural epochs. By tracing the evolution of body interpretations from the tangible to the phenomenological realms, it scrutinizes the shifts in architectural ideation concerning the cognitive dimensions of the human body. Furthermore, this study investigates the influence of phenomenological perspectives on discussions surrounding bodily expressions and the adaptive alteration of individuals' perceptions of their corporeal presence in diverse real-world scenarios. Architects, albeit these transformations, persist in retaining a human-centric view, laying emphasis on geometric, formal, and numerical considerations in architectural compositions.