Course detail

Theory of Architecture 3

FA-TA3-TAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course builds on the foundations established in Theory of Architecture 2. It focuses not only on the various topics addressed by architectural theory, but also on the different frameworks through which these topics can be understood. Recognizing the legitimacy of different frameworks requires students to be able to explain and defend their theoretical premises. This helps them understand architecture’s responsibility towards society and the environment, as well as the potential of every architect to contribute to and expand the body of knowledge within the discipline.

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)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Assessment is based on the award of course credit. Students are required to attend at least 80% of the seminars, complete the ongoing assignments individually, submit a group project as part of the semester assignment, and present it in class.

Students are expected to participate actively in the classes. Preparation involves reading the assigned texts and completing the ongoing assignments. Any missed work has to be made up through self-study.

In the case of an excused absence, missed classes may be made up individually in consultation with the course coordinator.

Aims

The aim of the course is to help students recognise the potential of architecture as a discipline, as well as the potential of individual architects, and to explore how this potential can be developed through critical thinking. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • identify and explain different frameworks for approaching topics related to architecture;
  • identify, within a given range of approaches, the framework underlying a particular text or a reasoned position taken by a selected architect;
  • critically assess the information they encounter;
  • discuss their own positions with regard to the framework that shapes them;
  • apply the above-mentioned skills in their own creative work in the studio.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

ARAGÜEZ, José. Spatial infrastructure: essays on architectural thinking as a form of knowledge. New York: Actar, 2022. (EN)
FIALOVÁ, I. Architektura a současné město. Zlatý řez (CS)
KAHN, L. I. Ticho a světlo. Arbor Vitae (CS)
ÁBALOS, Inaki. The good life: a guided visit to the houses of modernity. Second edition. Zurich: Park Books, 2019. (EN)
CORDES SPENCE, Karen. A Primer on Theory in Architecture. Routledge, 2017. (EN)
ILYIN, Natalia. Writing for the design mind. Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2019. (EN)
SMITH, Korydon H. Introducing architectural theory: debating a discipline. Routledge, 2012. (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.

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

 

Lecture

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Nina Bartošová, Ph.D.

Seminar

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Nina Bartošová, Ph.D.