Theory

Genius Loci (spirit of place)

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How specific places acquire unique character and meaning, fostering belonging.

Dwelling

Details

Introduced
1970s

Classifications

Holder
Individual
Source of authority
Lived experience
Subject
More than human
Mode of transmission
Text drawing
Knowledge type
Relational embodied
Epistemic cluster
Western philosophical

Referenced by

Sources

  1. Christian Norberg-Schulz. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli, 1980.
  2. in Crysler, Cairns & Heynen (eds), The SAGE Handbook of Architectural Theory, SAGE, 2012 — export p. 7 of 21

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Genius Loci (spirit of place)." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theory/genius-loci/. Accessed July 17, 2026.