Theory

Architectural Determinism

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The claim that built spatial form determines social behaviour; advanced via Owen's environmental determinism and popularised by Jencks's 'death of modernism at Pruitt-Igoe', then refuted by Bristol and Friedrichs as a myth.

Power Meaning Settlement

Details

Introduced
19th century

Connections

Referenced by

Sources

  1. Katharine G. Bristol. “The Pruitt-Igoe Myth.” Journal of Architectural Education (1991).

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Architectural Determinism." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theory/architectural-determinism/. Accessed July 17, 2026.