‘The space between’: an architectural examination of Hannah Arendt’s notions of ‘public space’ and ‘world’

Abstract

Against the background of our current experiences of lockdowns, curfews and social distancing, this article discusses the notion of public space in the writings of philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906–1975). She was the first to propel this notion within the context of political theory and philosophy, in particular in her well-known book, The Human Condition (1958). In this book, Arendt coins public space as ‘the space of appearance'. In this notion two elements are essential: the condition of plurality and the essential aspect of freedom (to act). In this article, I examine how this notion relate to another important term in Arendt's oeuvre, the notion of the ‘world'. ‘World' in Arendt's writings refers to human interventions on earth, not only institutions, but also ‘things'. Arendt propels this ‘world-of-things’ as prerequisite for a sensible political realm. I discuss aspects of durability, materiality, remembrance, and experience, that according to Arendt, are politically charged. The notion, I conclude, bridges between the political realm and tangible architectural objects and interventions of architectural practice.