ARCH 4323 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY AND THEORY III 2016‐17 Term II Instructor: Thomas Chung Student Assistant: tbc DESCRIPTION This course outlines the history and theory of modern architecture through significant works of the 20th century. The progress of modern architecture is made evident by a succession of works, illustrating relevant historical, theoretical, and design issues. Modern buildings are examined as artifacts of their time, providing a point of reference for understanding their broader contexts. They are also examined as designed objects in their own right and for their own qualities. There will be a focus on how individual works relate to important manifestoes, critical writings, parallel developments in the arts, as well as the more general cultural, intellectual and historical circumstances of the time. In the course, significant works of modern architecture will be discussed as both intellectual and technical manifestations of contemporary ideas and conditions. They will also be situated within the discipline of architectural history as well as the discourse on Modernism. We will trace the diversity of ideas and designs through the different movements and periods, and analyze how different architects attempted to address the problem of creating a “modern” (of the day) architecture appropriate to their own time. Significant works of the 20th century are thus seen to both reiterate these basic questions and to provide new formulations and new answers. Sessions shall include lecture and seminar segments. An outline will be handed out with each lecture. The course follows the standard chronology of modern history, and divides it into five broad segments: pre‐
modern, early modern, high modern, late modern, after modern. OBJECTIVES  To understand fundamental ideas, movements and key works of modern architecture  To become aware of the broader contexts of Modernist history and culture  To become knowledgeable on selected buildings, architects and related writings  To develop an ability to interpret and critique works of modern architecture in writing  To become aware of the applicability of architectural history and theory to the tasks of design LEARNING OUTCOME  Able to recognise fundamental ideas, movements and key works of modern architecture  Able to describe the broader contexts of Modernist history and culture  Able to recall selected buildings, architects and related writings  Able to interpret and critique works of modern architecture in writing  Able to relate issues of architectural history and theory to the tasks of design ASSESSMENT SCHEME 1. Notebook 30 % 2. Group presentation 20 % 3. Term Paper 50 % COURSE FORMAT Lecture, in‐class assignment, etc. Time: Wednesdays 9:30 – 12:15 pm Venue: WMY 505 RECOMMENDED READINGS History: Lampugnani, V.M. (ed.) Thames and Hudson Encyclopedia of 20th Century Architecture Leonardo Benevolo, History of Modern Architecture v.1 & v.2 (in Chinese) Alan Colquhoun, Modern Architecture (Lecture topics) William Curtis, Modern Architecture Since 1900 (Study Group presentation) Kenneth Frampton, Modern Architecture, a Critical History (in Chinese) Kenneth Frampton, Modern Architecture: 1920‐1945 Peter Gossel, Architecture in the Twentieth Century Manfredo Tafuri and Francesco Dal Co, Modern Architecture v.1 & v.2 Sabine Thiel‐Siling, Icons of Architecture: the 20th Century Theory: Hilde Heynen, Architecture and Modernity: a Critique Ulrich Conrads, Programs and manifestoes on 20th‐century architecture Le Corbusier, Towards a New Architecture Sigfried Giedion, Space, Time and Architecture Vincent Scully, Modern Architecture: the Architecture of Democracy Manfredo Tafuri, Architecture and Utopia: Design and Capitalist Development Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENTS ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is required in all courses. For an excused absence, the instructor must be notified and presented with documentation of illness or personal matter. Please note: Three (3) or more unexcused absences may result in a failing grade for the course. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/. With each assignment, students may be required to submit a statement that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures. STUDENT WORK: Submission of studio documentation in correct and complete format is required of each student. Without submission of the documentation folder no grade will be submitted for the course. This may result in a failing grade for the course and may delay graduation. Course Schedule DRAFT Seminar / Group Presentations / Submissions Lecture DATE LECTURE TOPICS 1 11 Jan THE BACKGROUND OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE ‐ The New Condition: Characteristics of Modernity ‐ Pre Modern Architecture: The 19th Century 2 18 Jan ART NOUVEAU AND PARALLEL MOVEMENTS ‐ Art Faces the Machine ‐ Parallel Developments in Europe 3 25 Jan EARLY MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN CHICAGO ‐ The Chicago School: Solutions to the High‐rise Problem ‐ The Prairie Houses of Wright: The Liberation of the Box 1 Feb No Class: National Day vacation 4 8 Feb GERMANY AND AUSTRIA, INDUSTRY ARCHITECTURE ‐ The Werkbund: Industrial Design in Germany ‐ Adolf Loos: Pure Architecture 5 15 Feb THE ARTISTIC AVANT‐GARDES MOVEMENTS ‐ Expressionism and Futurism: Instinct and Provocation ‐ Cubism and De Stijl: New Spatial Conception 6 22 Feb LE CORBUSIER FROM PLATONIC TO PLASTIC ‐ Le Corbusier Before WWII: The Object‐Type ‐ Le Corbusier after WWII: The Plastic Object Groups 10‐12 7 1 Mar HIGH MODERNISM IN GERMANY ‐ The Bauhaus: The New Education ‐ Mies Before WW2: Unity vs. Fragmentation Groups 13‐15 8 8 Mar URBAN VISIONS OF LATE MODERNISM ‐ The New Monumentality: Chandigarh and Brazilia ‐ The Critique of New Monumentality: Team X and Mat Buildings Groups 16‐18 9 15 Mar USA AFTER WORLD WAR II ‐ The Case Study Houses: Space for the California Lifestyle ‐ Abstract Space in America: Mies and Corporate Space Groups 19‐21 10 22 Mar THE LAST MASTERS: KAHN AND AALTO ‐ Louis Kahn’s Monumentality ‐ Alvar Aalto’s Organicism Revised abstracts due 11 29 Mar THE END OF MODERNISM? ‐ The Critique of Modernism: the 60’s and 70’s ‐ The New Modernism: the 80’s and 90’s Notebook submission 2 12 5 Apr COURSE REVIEW Paper sign‐up tutorials 12 Apr No class: Final Review Preparations Paper sign‐up tutorials 19 Apr No class: Final Review Week Paper sign‐up tutorials 26 Apr Notebook Final submission, 5 pm, General Office, SoA Paper sign‐up tutorials 3 May Term Paper due, 5 pm, General Office, School of Architecture Notebook examples Group topics finalised Writing seminar Groups 1‐3 Notebook submission 1 Groups 4‐6 Groups 7‐9 Paper abstracts due