Handbook on Architecture and Anthropology

Contemporary Approaches to a Cross-Disciplinary Field

Marie Stender, Claus Bech-Danielsen, Aina Landsverk Hagen, Madlen Kobi and Ying Zhou

This Handbook provides fresh insights into the debates and challenges that unfold in the cross-disciplinary field of architecture and anthropology. Based on studies of empirical contexts across the globe, the authors launch and test a broad variety of methods and advance various theoretical concepts.  

Architecture and anthropology have always had overlapping interests, but a range of developments in both disciplines make it more relevant than ever to intersect, overlap, combine or even merge the two disciplines. In anthropology, the spatial, material, and non-human turns have paved the way for an increasing interest in and need of changing the world, rather than just studying it. On the other hand, architecture, beyond designing structures, has become interested in the uses and processes that unfold in, during, and after construction. The contemporary research and practices in both disciplines are testimonies that a crossdisciplinary exchange is inspiring for engaging with and responding to the challenges of a world in ecological, societal, and political turmoil.

This Handbook addresses established scholars, students and practitioners alike by outlining contemporary developments and tensions at the intersection of architecture and anthropology. (Forthcoming in November 2025)

Forthcoming: Our Handbook on Architecture and Anthropology is in production! Co-edited with Marie Stender, Aina Landsverk Hagen, Claus Bech-Danielsen and Ying Zhou, we compiled 32 contributions discussing the crossdisciplinary field between architecture and anthropology