A Discussion on Temporal and Ephemeral Architecture

Abstract

This paper distinguishes between the terms of 'temporal' and 'ephemeral', the latter of which refers to the creation of images, rather than objects, in contemporary architecture. It argues that ephemeral architecture cannot simply be associated with temporal architecture, which typically refers to short-lived structures, such as pavilions, exhibition spaces, and installations. In this context, the paper aims to focus on the shift from temporal to ephemeral in the twenty first century, where architectural objects are created using digital technologies and, most recently, artificial intelligence. The images become even more important than the objects in architecture. They are created to characterize the object, space, or structure. While the structure may be temporary or permanent, its images are usually ephemeral. In that, we perceive and experience the structure through its images shared on digital and social media, for only a few seconds. This is why architectural structures are described as ephemeral structures, in terms of both their creation and perception, in the paper. The paper also discusses the paradigm shifts from temporal to ephemeral, object to image, appearance to disappearance, and space to screen. Consequently, it redefines ephemeral architecture as the act of image creation in the context of the twenty-first century, where everything is in a constant state of flux, including images.

Keywords

• Temporary
• Ephemeral
• Image
• Image-Object
• Ephemeral Architecture

References

1. Berman, M. (1982). All That is Solid Melts into Air, The Experience of Modernity. New York: Penguin Books.
2. Jodidio, P. (2011). Temporary Architecture Now! Cologne: Taschen.
3. Hill, C. (2016). This is Temporary: How Transient Projects Are Redefining Architecture. Newcastle: RIBA Publishing.
4. Colomina, B. (2002). Architectureproduction. Rattenbury, K. (Ed.). This is Not Architecture: Media Constructions (pp. 207-221). London: Routledge.
5. Coar, L. (2011). The Lasting Meaning in Ephemeral Architecture. Design Principles and Practices. 5(6): 667-678. doi: 10.18848/1833-1874/CGP/v05i06/38252.
6. Betsky, A. (2016, March 29). Let’s hear it for temporary architecture. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/29/aaron-betsky-opinion-temporary-pavilions-lessons-for-permanent-architecture/ (Access date: 21 December 2025).
7. Mańkowska, A., Zaguła, A. (2022). Temporary Architecture in the 21st Century as an Expression of Changes Taking Place in Contemporary Society. Architectus. 1(69): 1141-1150. doi:10.37190/arc220112.
8. Eryılmaz, E. B. (2022). Revisiting the Concept of Ephemerality in the Counter-Culture Architecture of the 1960s: Inflatable Structures. Studies in History & Theory of Architecture. 1(10): 41-54. doi: 10.54508/sITA.10.04. Soylu, Ç. (2019). Importance of Temporary Architecture and Permanence as an Obsolete Notion. International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research. 8(3): 253-258. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.8.3.253-258.

9. Karandinou, A. (2013). No Matter: Theories and Practices of the Ephemeral in Architecture. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate.
10. Walker, J. (2004). Ephemeral Architectures: The Body and Landscape in Augmented Reality. Digital Creativity. 15(2): 93-97. doi: 10.1080/14626260408520171.
11. McLuhan, M. (2006). The Medium is the Message. California: Gingko Press.
12. Chappel, B. D. (2020, April 04). Ephemeral architecture: Towards a definition. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/193497347/Ephemeral-Architecture. (Access date: 21 December 2025).
13. Cuentas, J. A. A., Bernedo-Moreira, D. H. (2023). Ephemeral Architecture as a Solution in the Evolution of Public Spaces. Land and Architecture. 2(51): 1-9. doi: 10.56294/la202351.
14. Widyaevan, D. A. (2022). Ephemeral Architecture as Socio-spatial Practices in Bintaro’s Modern Market Public Space. Journal of Urban Society’s Arts. 9(1): 12-24. doi: 10.24821/jousa.v9i1.6107.
15. Vidiella, A. S. (2016). Ephemeral Architecture / 100 Projects 1000 Ideas. Barcelona: Promopress,
16. Janković, S., Stanković, D. (2019). Ephemeral Architecture: A Proposal for Interventions in Public Space. Facta Universitatis Series Visual Arts and Music. 5(2): 163-172. doi: 10.22190/FUVAM1902163J.
17. Ványolós. E. (2022). The Time of Ephemeral Architecture. Studies in History and Theory of Architecture. 1(10): 189-198. doi: 10.54508/sITA.10.15.
18. Leach, N. (2022). Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An introduction to AI for architects. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.
19. Picon, A. (2024). The Materiality of Architecture: Between the Rise of the Digital Age and the Advent of the Anthropocene. Perspectives in Architecture and Urbanism. doi: 10.1016/j.pau.2024.100019.
20. Spuybroek, L. (2019). The Architecture of Continuity. Rotterdam: V2_Publishing.
21. Virilio, P., Ruby, A. (1993). Architecture in the Age of its Virtual Disappearance. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
22. Baudrillard, J. (1981). Simulacra and Simulation. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
23. Junte, J. (2021, March 26). How media architecture is shaping our cities – and with it our lives. Arcdaily. https://www.archdaily.com/959178/how-media-architecture-is-shapingour-cities-nil-and-with-it-our-lives. (Access date: 21 December 2025).
24. Beasley, O. (2015). In Search of Distraction: Representing Benjamin’s Everyday Experience of Architecture. University of Westminster School of Architecture and the Built Environment Major Thesis Project, Westminster.
25. Manovich, L. (2001). The Language of New Media. New York: The MIT Press.
26. Debord, G. (1983). Society of the Spectacle. Detroit: Black & Red.