How can the fundamentally changing perception of time be interpreted in the context of contemporary architecture?

Text and photos: Klára Mohay

Beyond the theoretical break-through of the 20th century, the theory of relativity, technological development, rapid transportation, telecommunications devices, and the rise of the media fundamentally changed the relationship between space and time as it is perceived by humans. Even if they did not become independent of each other, their relationship transcended the formerly prevailing linear clarity. The paradigm shift brought about fundamental changes at the everyday level as well, influencing the human experience and interpretation of the world within the general framework of these two dimensions. Architecture is a physical reflection of the social ideas and cultural trends of a certain era, offering a wide range of observations not only in terms of form, but also those of scale, dimensions and functions. While space provides the basis for numerous analyses in architectural thinking, the role of the dimension of time has been undeservedly pushed into the background. However, the experience of time has changed radically and become more complex — constant acceleration, spatial-temporal fragmentation as well as experiential simultaneity are all defining spiritual experiences of the present. This study is a cognitive experiment that examines the transformation of the experience of time over the last century and how this fundamental experience is reflected in the shaping of the man-made environment. The focus is on the phenomenon itself and its interpretation in the context of contemporary spatial perception. Its aim is to raise awareness of the role of the experience of time and to introduce it conceptually into the discourse on the factors that shape architecture.