The Active Room: Freud's Office and the Egyptian Tomb.
Julia K Schroeder
Frontiers in Psychology 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01547 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Sigmund freud Active room Ancient egypt Extended mind Office design Psychoanalysis Therapy Work environment |
| Key points | Argues that the architectural and spatial similarities between Freud's Berggasse 19 office and ancient Egyptian tombs enabled the office to function as an active participant in psychoanalysis sessions, interpreted through ancient Egyptian architectural frameworks, psychoanalytic container theory, and Freud's archaeological metaphor model. |
Abstract
The present study examines the striking similarities between the architectural design and spatial composition of the ancient Egyptian tomb and Sigmund Freud's office at Berggasse 19 in Vienna, Austria. I argue that the Egyptian tomb elements represented within Freud's office permitted the enclosed space to play an active role in his psychoanalysis sessions. I supplement this argument by analyzing the office's spatial and architectural arrangements in relation to ancient Egyptian architectural frameworks, psychoanalytic container theory (Freud, Danze, and Quinodoz), and Freud's archeological metaphor model. This study contributes to the greater body of work on architecture as an active entity, psychoanalysis, and ancient Egyptian history.