This paper is focused on architectural semantics. Although it has been first developed as a linguistic department, semantics has been applied to examples where there is, strictly speaking, no language (semiotics). Semantics concepts must be revised for being applied to architecture. The concept of dynamic scheme is proposed for the enhancement of the resemblance thesis. Despite the great variability of architectural signification in function of sociohistorical context, semantic classes can be distinguished: pyramids for going up or going down; radiating, concentrating, or crossing cruciform plans, etc. This framework leads to conclusions hardly compatible only with the thesis of communication in architecture.
Architecture; shape; cultural signification; resemblance; dynamic scheme
