Martin Heidegger – Building Dwelling Thinking – review
Heideggerʼs article is based on the concept of building and dwelling and is presented through the article by asking two questions; What is it to dwell, and how does building belong to dwelling? Martin Heidegger's "Building Dwelling Thinking" opens with an argument that seems rather obvious, that a structure is essentially designed for man's dwelling. Heidegger argues, not all buildings are designed for dwelling. Heidegger proposes a different view of building, not as tectonic, construction, or technique, but traces its origins to which he claims everything belongs. Heidegger states that the modern world has brought about a negative severance between building and dwelling. He looks at the origins of the German word "bauen" – "to build" and claims that it has lost its original meaning of "being" in a certain place. (Bauen: to build, dwell, also to care for, cherish, protect, preserve, nurture) Since dwelling relates to the manner in which we exist, our "being in the world", Heidegger holds that problems of building are essentially problems of dwelling. Heidegger proceeds to argue that modern times have brought about confusion in the understanding of relations between building and dwelling with building not conceived as related to the state of our existence in the world. Building as dwelling is not just a functional need for a building. Dwelling according to Heidegger is to remain in place and to be situated in a certain relationship with existence. The next important point of discussion is Heidegger’s establishment of the fourfold. The four elements of the fourfold are earth and sky, divinities and mortals. The fourfold is a kind of fullness which is a part of dwelling. This unity of the fourfold cannot be divided into its components and each one of these can only be what it is only when the others are kept in mind. Therefore, Heidegger claims, a man is not only a being in the world, but a part of the fourfold of earth, sky, divinities and mortals.
Earth is the supporting ground on which we stride. It supports us in the most physical sense
The sky as part of Heidegger's fourfold as the sky in their usual referential meaning. "Sky" as a part of the fourfold are a spiritual component relating to eternity
The mortals in Heidegger's fourfold are human beings
Heidegger understands the divinities as the most basic criterion of mankind
In this fourfold unity humans exist in their dwelling which is "done right" by "sparing the earth" and maintaining its true nature without exploiting it. Dwelling according the Heidegger is accepting the sky as sky, with their blessing. Heidegger sums up "Building Dwelling Thinking" by another example of a place of dwelling: the Black Forest farm house. The example of the Black Forest farm serves to illustrate how, for Heidegger, dwelling should be carried out. The article concludes in verifying that the essence of building is letting dwell and “only if we are capable of dwelling, only then can we build”.