Peter Eisenman: Theories and Practices

Within the spectrum of contemporary architecture, the work of the New Yok based architect Peter Eisenman (Newark, USA, 1932-) is outstanding and exceptional. As one of the most innovative architects and theorist of the last decades, Eisenman has had a considerable impact in the field of architectural design and theory and has contributed do many architectural debates, mainly through his experiments, critical writings and active academic and public involvement.

This study makes a vertical and critical analysis of the architectural and theoretical work of Peter Eisenman. The main objective is to frame the most critical moments and lines of thought of the ‘Project Eisenman’ and to shed a light on the theoretical underpinnings and working methods, i.e. the ‘modus operandi’ of Eisenman’s discursive apparatus. The main point of interest is to reflect on the respective role of theory (writings) and praxis (projects) in the overall oeuvre of Peter Eisenman, and to analyze how these poles are related and interacting with each other. The study further reflects on the underlying methodological framework of Eisenman’s theory-at-work, or, in other words, on the inner mechanics of the architectural and theoretical production. This has been done by examining the reception of internal and external references (i.e. inputs form architecture, arts, linguistics, philosophy, science etc.), the link with contemporary frames of thought (such as structuralism and post-structuralism) and by situating the major lines of thought in a broader historical and cultural perspective.