Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
History and Theory of Architecture IV
Other languages of instruction: English
Teaching staff
By appointment
Introduction
History and Theory of Architecture 4is the fourth of four subjects that form the group of Theory of Architecture distributed throughout for semesters of the second and the third course.
All four of them consider the art and architecture history from the common point of view: the language. Because the language is the universal mean where the comprehension is carried out. The form of the realization of the comprehension is the interpretation. (…) All understanding is interpretation, and all interpretation develops within the means of a language that pretends to let the object speak and simultaneously the language itself acts as an interpreter. (Gadamer, 1975)
The language is understood as a fundamental instrument for the interpretation, as a substrate that systematically traverses the history of art and architecture of the 20th century.
Still it is necessary to give form (and this will be the objective of each one of the four courses of the History and Theory) to another question: why? for whom? and by whom is this history written? The history of architecture is made because there is a search for the significance of the contemporary architecture: in order to resolve the unease of the present there is no use in projecting over the past the certainties that are to be overcome. In this sense, it is the architecture that should be re-proposed as a problem. This apparent suspension of judgement of the numerous recent analysis has, to the contrary, the sense of the free research of the possible directions that the future might take. (Tafuri, 1968)
However, to reflect on history is not an occupation of the past. To reflect on the history, on the art and architecture history over and over means to reflect on the present. And, as a consequence, to be contemporary. That means that contemporary is not only the one who, perceiving the shadow of the present, grasps its light; it is also the one who by dividing and interpolating the time, finds himself in conditions to transform it and place it in relation with other times, to read the history in an unprecedented manner, to “quote” on it according to a need that doesn’t come from the arbitrary but from a demand that cannot remain unattended. (Agamben, 2009)
Pre-course requirements
There are no specific pre-course requirements.
Objectives
The course History and Theory of Architecture 4 The place of the Language: 1945-1989, analyses the revision of the Modern Movement after the Second World War and until the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although there is no need to argue the necessities for a language that would legitimise different individual design coordinates. The world is structured as a formless appearance that interferes with the political, technological and methodological realm and arrives to the diaspora of the recent 1980s.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 34-T - Ability to design, practice and develop basic and execution projects, sketches and blueprints.
- 35-T - Ability to conceive, put into practice and develop urban projects
- 40 - Ability to express architectural criticism.
- 48 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the general theories of form, composition and architectural typologies
- 49 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the history of architecture.
- 50 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the study methods for the processes of symbolization, practical functions and ergonomics.
- 51 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the study methods of social needs, quality of life, habitability and basic housing programmes
- 53 - To acquire adequate knowledge of architectural, urban development and landscaping traditions of Western culture, as well as their technical, climate, economic, social and ideological foundations
- 54 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the aesthetics, theory and history of Fine Arts and Applied Arts.
- 55 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the relationship between cultural patterns and the social responsibilities of the architect
- 56 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the principles of vernacular architecture
- 57 - To acquire adequate knowledge of urban sociology, theory, economy and history.
Learning outcomes of the subject
See next section.
Syllabus
Course meeting times: Monday from 09:00 to 13:00
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is methodologically organized around two main axis: theory and praxis
THEORY
1:Master classes. Exposition by the professors of the thematic content of the course
PRAXIS
2: Graphic analysis of buildings
3: Analysis of buildings with models and drawings
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Class exhibition | 34-T 35-T 40 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 | 0,75 |
| Class participation | 34-T 35-T 40 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 | 0,75 |
| Clase practice | 34-T 35-T 40 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 | 0,75 |
| Tutorials | 34-T 35-T 40 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 | 0,75 |
| Individual or group study | 34-T 35-T 40 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 | 3 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The course evaluation responds to different conditions: exam notes, notes of the practical exercises and active participation in the course.
It will be evaluated according to two modalities: BY COURSE, and / or BY FINAL CALL
BY COURSE --> It's necessary 'real' attendance to classes, and follow up all exercices. Any failure in the exercices delivery will mean have not mark by course. In this modality % are:
Exams: 2 partials eliminatory of the subject: 50% of the final grade
Exercices: 50%
BY FINAL CALL --> There are 2 final exams of the whole course
Final 1st call (the partial notes are preserved)
Final 2nd call (partial notes are NOT preserved)
Comments:
- In order to make an arithmetic average between examinations and practices, the two parts must be approved.
- All exercises are mandatory in modality BY COURSE. The non-delivery of one of the exercises, or delivery out of time implies to pass to modality BY FINAL CALL
Bibliography and resources
Subject Bibliography:
TAFURI, Manfredo; DAL CO, Francesco. Arquitectura contemporánea vol. 2. Madrid: Aguilar, 1989
FRAMPTON, Kenneth. Historia crítica de la arquitectura moderna. 4ª ed. Barcelona: GG, 2009
KOSTOF, Spiro. Historia de la arquitectura, vol. 3. Madrid: Alianza Forma, 2009.
Other Books:
COLQUHOUN, Alan. La Arquitectura moderna: una historia desapasionada. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 2005
MONTANER, Josep Maria. Después del movimiento moderno. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1993.
ROSSI, Aldo. La arquitectura de la ciudad. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1976.
TAFURI, Manfredo. La Sfera e il labirinto : avanguardie e architettura da Piranesi agli anni'70. Torino: G. Einaudi, 1980
VENTURI, Robert. Complexity and contradiction in architecture. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1968