Course detail

Theory of Architecture 3

FA-TA3-TAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course content builds on Architectural Theory 1 and 2 with the aim of continuing to deepen awareness of the broad scope of architectural theory discourse. In doing so, it introduces it as a discipline that not only affects practice in various ways, but without which good architectural practice cannot do without. The emphasis is on understanding theoretical texts and through the actual process of writing, the ability to enter into dialogue with the reader and to form not only a professional opinion but also to identify one's own theoretical inclinations is strengthened. Through selected texts, students are introduced to a variety of topics – from current cultural, social, or environmental issues to the "eternal" themes of aesthetics or individual authorial approaches – that, while they may not provide direct guidance in the process of designing an architectural object or urban design, expand the point of view through which an architect is able to approach the issues that the field of architecture continuously presents.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. arch. Nina Bartošová, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Theory (UT)

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Assessment by credit. A final essay is required to be submitted and consulted/discussed at least once during the semester.

Attendance and active participation in class. Consultation of the essay in progress. Non-attendance must be made up by self-study.

Aims

The aim of the course is to develop thinking about architecture through theoretical texts. In levels that relate both to the creation of architecture itself and everything that is related to it, but also how architecture affects people and the environment. These are topics that go beyond the usual technical or practical aspects, but which often have a fundamental impact on the quality of architecture. Taking the course provides students with the opportunity not only to increase their understanding of more challenging texts in architectural theory by responding to them through their own writing and discussion, but also to improve their ability to think critically about their own work and to articulate the ideas on which it is based.

  • the student gets a clear idea of the nature of the theoretical text and the importance it plays for the practicing architect
  • he/she will be able not only to distinguish between different ideological starting points, identify their presence in a specific design, but also evaluate their relevance in relation to his/her own work/thinking
  • through the process of essay writing, he/she will be able to engage in dialogue with the text being read and be prepared to respond to a variety of topics
  • his/her general competence to comment on important social/ cultural/ environmental issues and their willingness to discuss them will be enhanced
  • last but not least, he/she will be able to critically evaluate the qualities or shortcomings of one's own thinking and thus arrive at better results in one's work

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

COLQUHOUN, A. Postmodernism and Structuralism: A Retrospective Glance. Assemblage, No. 5 (Feb., 1988), s. 6-15. https://doi.org/10.2307/3171022 (EN)
COLQUHOUN, A. Regionalismus a technika. In ŠVÁCHA, R. (ed.) Regionalismus a internacionalismus v soudobé architektuře, Praha 1999, s. 19-21. (CS)
COLQUHOUN, A. Sign and Substance: Reflections on Complexity, Las Vegas, and Oberlin. In Essays in Architectural Criticism: Modern Architecture and Historical Change. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1981. s. 139-151 (EN)
COLQUHOUN, A.Typology and Design Method. Perspecta, Vol. 12 (1969), s. 71-74. https://doi.org/10.2307/1566960 (EN)
DERRIDA, J. POINT DE FOLIE — MAINTENANT L’ARCHITECTURE. Bernard Tschumi: La Case Vide — La Villette, 1985. In AA Files, No. 12 (Summer 1986),s. 65-75. (EN)
EISENMAN, P. K porozumění formě v architektuře. Stavba, roč. 22 (2015), č. 4/15, s. 8-11. (CS)
EISENMAN, P. Kartonová architektura. Dům I. Stavba 9 (2002), č. 3, s. 72-75. (CS)
EISENMAN, P., KOOLHAAS, R., KIPNIS, J. SOMOL, R., STEELE, B. Supercritical. Architectural Association (EN)
EISENMAN, P. Postfunkcionalismus..Stavba, 2 (2008), s. 76-79. (CS)
FIALOVÁ, I. Architektura a současné město. Zlatý řez (CS)
KAHN, L. I., MERRILL, Michael. The importance of a drawing. Lars Muller (EN)
KAHN, L. I. Ticho a světlo. Arbor Vitae (CS)
SCOTT BROWN, D. Having words. AA Publications (EN)
SOLA-MORALES, I. FIALOVÁ, I., TICHÁ, J. Diference. Topografie současné architektury (CS)
TICHÁ, J. Architektura a globalizace. Texty o moderní a současné architektuře (CS)
TICHÁ, J. Architektura na prahu informačního věku. Zlatý řez (CS)
TICHÁ, J. Architektura. Tělo nebo obraz. Zlatý řez (CS)
TICHÁ, J. Architektura v informačním věku. Zlatý řez (CS)
VENTURI, Robert. Složitost a protiklad v architektuře. Arbor Vitae (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

12 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. arch. Monika Přikrylová
doc. Ing. arch. Nina Bartošová, Ph.D.

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course