Excavating Architecture: The Archaeological Approach to Building Narratives
A reflection on my personal approach to architecture and life
Reinterpreting Architecture through from the ‘Archaeological’ lens
Architecture, much like archaeology, is rooted in understanding the past to inform the future. The archaeological approach to architecture involves digging—both literally and metaphorically—into layers of history to uncover, reinterpret, and reconstruct the stories of civilizations. But as we delve deeper, a critical question arises: are we clarifying the past, or are we mystifying it? And how does this excavation affect our ability to shape the future?
This approach is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it presents facts as they occurred, but on the other, it affects our subjective minds, leading us to form our own interpretations. During my studies at Cardiff University, I closely examined Mark Dion’s Cabinet of Curiosities, an artwork that presents history not as a linear progression but as overlapping layers. It allows the viewer to form their own meaning from these fragments of the past—an apt metaphor for the architectural process of excavation.
Digging for Narratives: Excavation as a Metaphor for Life
Archaeology seeks to uncover hidden meanings in ruins and relics. In architecture, this mirrors our efforts to look back at historical structures and traditions to extract a narrative — if one exists. But we are not meant to dwell in ruins forever. What happens if, as we dig deeper, we find that the narrative is elusive? Perhaps we are imposing stories onto the past where none truly exist. This raises a larger question: is the excavation of the past a valid method for informing contemporary architecture, or are we merely mystifying it?
In both architecture and life, I often find myself constantly excavating the past, searching for meaning. Yet, the deeper I dig, the more I question whether I’m gaining clarity or clouding my understanding with layers of subjective interpretation. Is there always something meaningful to unearth, or are we sometimes guilty of digging too deep?
Angelus Novus: A Metaphor for Forward and Backward Glances
Paul Klee’s Angelus Novus perfectly captures this tension. The angel looks backward, longing to understand the debris of history, but it is also being propelled forward by an unstoppable force. For me, this image represents both the allure and danger of the archaeological approach to architecture. Like the angel, we are drawn toward understanding the past, hoping it will clarify the present and future. But as we fixate on what has been left behind, are we restricting ourselves from moving forward?
In my own life, I often feel like this angel—compelled to reflect on the past for guidance, yet aware that too much focus on history can trap me in patterns of thought that hinder progress. Similarly, in architecture, we must balance the need to learn from history with the freedom to create something new, something unburdened by the weight of what has already been built.
Clarification or Mystification: Are We Over Digging?
I use the term ‘mystify’ because the simple act of understanding the past can create multiple interpretations, obscuring the original event. John Berger expands on this idea, explaining that overanalyzing art can dissolve the truth of the original event, causing the work to drift away from its foundation.
The more we excavate the past in architectural studies, the more we risk mystifying it. Ancient structures and ruins often carry symbolic meanings that we, as contemporary observers, might not fully comprehend. Our society has moved far from the context in which these structures were created, and in our attempts to interpret them, we may project our own narratives, obscuring their original meanings.
This is natural because our conscious and unconscious minds work in continuous cycles. While we might consciously stop dwelling on the past, our unconscious mind continues to create neural networks, seeking meaning and reflection. The question remains: is this process simply a personal exercise in self-reflection, or does it lead to something more tangible? The answer likely lies somewhere in between.
Excavating the past can offer valuable lessons, but we must be careful not to romanticize or overinterpret what we find. There is a fine line between drawing inspiration from history and being trapped by it. This process mirrors the sight of a horizon: from a distance, the two planes seem to meet, but in reality, they never do. The past and present reflect each other, but they do not fully align.
Learning from the Past Without Restricting the Future
Undoubtedly, there is much to learn from history. The archaeological approach to architecture allows us to appreciate the wisdom of past builders, their innovations, and the societal contexts that shaped their work. However, this approach also risks becoming a crutch—a way of limiting what can be built for the future. When we focus too much on preserving or replicating the past, we may lose sight of the opportunity to innovate and create something radically different.
The challenge is to learn from the past without letting it dictate the future. We must treat history as a foundation, not a limitation. Just as archaeologists carefully excavate ruins without disturbing the deeper layers, architects must balance respect for tradition with the willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies.
The Dual Role of Excavation in Architecture
The archaeological approach to architecture offers both promise and peril. It can provide valuable insights into the origins of our built environments and the societal forces that shaped them. However, it also risks mystifying the past and restricting future possibilities. Like the angel in Angelus Novus, we must look back with a critical eye while remaining aware of the forward momentum propelling us into new architectural territories.
Ultimately, the past is only one part of the architectural narrative. Its nature is far too complex to be entirely objective. The future, unburdened by the weight of excavation, awaits its own stories to be built and told. While modernists broke away from architectural dogma only to fall into new cycles of excess, we must remember that reflecting on the past does not mean fully letting go. Instead, we must embrace its lessons and guide our creativity to shape a better future.
If you’ve enjoyed digging into these reflections on architecture and life, consider subscribing to stay updated with my latest thoughts and explorations. Let’s continue excavating the layers of architecture together—there’s always more to uncover!
Such a remarkable perspective to show up, I really enjoyed reading this.