Course detail
Theory of Architecture 3
FA-TA3-TEAcad. year: 2024/2025
The course develops the topics from Theory of Architecture 1 and 2 and continues to raise awareness of a wide range of topics in the discourse of theory of architecture. The course presents theory of architecture as a discipline which is not only related to the practice, but as a discipline without which the good practice cannot exist. The course focuses on understanding of theoretical texts, and via writing essays, it strengthens the ability to reflect on the studied text, to formulate a professional opinion, and to identify students´ theoretical inclinations. Via reading selected texts, students are introduced to various topics - from current cultural, societal, and environmental topics to the “eternal” topic of aesthetics, and approaches of individual authors – which do not have to provide direct instruction for the process of architectural or urban design, but they broaden students´ angle to the questions that architecture continuously raises.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Department
Aims
- Students will get a clear idea of the nature of theoretical texts and their meaning for practising architects.
- Students will know how to discern various ideational rationales, to identify their presence in a particular design, but also to evaluate their relevance to their work/own thinking.
- Students will be able to reflect the studied texts in written essays and will be ready to react to various topics.
- Students will enhance their competence to express their opinion to important social/cultural/environmental topics and to discuss about them.
- Students will be able to critically evaluate the qualities or imperfections of their own thinking, and thus to come to better results in their work.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Active participation in the lessons. Consultation of the draft of the essay. Absences must be compensated by self-study. In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the supervisor, personal participation may be substituted with online participation in the studio.
Study aids
Prerequisites and corequisites
- compulsory prerequisite
Theory of Architecture 1 – Introduction
Basic literature
KAHN, L. I., MERRILL, Michael. The importance of a drawing. Lars Müller Publishers, 2021. ISBN: 978-3037786444. (EN)
KAHN, L. I. Silence and Light. Park Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-3906027180. (EN)
SCOTT BROWN, D. Having words. AA Publications, 2009. ISBN: 978-1902902708. (EN)
SOLA-MORALES, I. de. Differences: Topographies of Contemporary Architecture. Writing Architecture, 1996. ISBN: 978-0262540858. (EN)
VENTURI, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. NY: The Museum of Modern Art, 1977. ISBN: 978-0870702822. (EN)
Recommended reading
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory