Terminology In Architecture Theory: Genius Loci Essays Example

Genius loci literally means the spirit of a place and it is related to a specific feeling and atmosphere that can be felt only in that place. The reasons are architectural and there is also a mixture of architecture and land where the object was built. Two realms that shape a location - physical and spiritual, and genius loci creates the living experience of a certain place.
This spirit goes into another sphere which can only be felt and while an architectural structure has a physical dimension to it, there is also the dimension that surpasses the specific time because it is timeless. Genius Loci is a Latin phrase which depicted the concept described by the Romans. It stands for a spirit of a certain place which serves for protection. However, today’s meaning is related to a specific atmosphere and not to the protective side of this spirit. Genius loci gives character to a certain space.
It affects architectural design in a way that it shapes the general feeling of a place. Genius loci is responsible for the spiritual impact of a certain building. There is a Roman church in Tockenham with a relief standing for a genius loci and it depicts a young Roman who stands for genius loci. Another example of genius loci is a character that holds a snake or a patera in his hands and it can be found among altars in ancient Rome. In modern sense, houses with specific architectural elements are called genius loci houses because of being unique. This is the case of a house in Montauk in New York which conveys the spirit of the place in terms of weather, location and nature. Different materials were used when constructing the house and their mixture is as unique as the atmosphere in Montauk.