Gottfried Semper

Gottfried Semper was a 19th-century German architect and theorist who studied the history and meaning of architecture. He believed that buildings reflect cultural identity and shared human experiences. Semper identified four key elements in construction: the hearth (central social activity), the roof (shelter), the enclosure (walls creating boundaries), and the platform (foundation). He argued that architectural styles develop from these fundamental components, shaped by societal values and artistic expression. Semper's ideas emphasize that architecture is more than aesthetics; it embodies the social and cultural fabric of communities.