COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: ARCHITECTURE AND UTOPIA
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
ARCH 571 D 8 3 0 0 3 6
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Egin Zeka , Tuesday, 11:45-14:30
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Julian Beqiri
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time: A106
Course Description: This course explores utopian works in architecture and art, including those by Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Yona Friedman, George Nelson, Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, William Morris, and others. We look at how history plays a part in utopian theories, which frequently rely on actual or hypothetical perceptions of societal structures in the past. By including group projects throughout the term, this class will also critically explore the connection between theory and practice, adding to the architectural thinking of students and beyond. Can architecture design a utopian environment that is different from the one we usually inhabit? The course will end with an exhibition of the students' utopian artwork.
Course Objectives: What does the scope, structure and content of practice reveal about the state of design and ambitions of design today? This course will be structured around a series of case studies of modes of practice that range from the poetic and experimental, to the normative, to interdisciplinary hybrids and socially engaged collectives. Students will examine the philosophical premises of different conceptions of practice through the course readings. They will compare different approaches to production, collaboration, and authorship, through observations and interviews. Each student will be paired with a particular studio, firm or collaborative in order to produce their final paper: a profile and contextual analysis of a particular practice and its implications for the professions and the future
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction
2 Shifting Paradigms
3 Social/Participatory/Collaborative Design
4 Case Study: William Morris, architect, urban designer
5 Critical Design
6 Case Study: George Nelson, architect, designer, writer
7 Design and Ethics
8 Case Study: Christopher Robbins, artist
9 Midterm Week
10 Case Study: Dan Friedman, communication designer
11 DIY/DIWO/Agency
12 Case Study: Peter Lloyd Jones, biologist/hybrid designer
13 Perspectives on the Relevance of Aesthetics
14 Student Presentations
Prerequisite(s):
Textbook:
Other References: Bachelard, (transl. by the Orion Press), (1992). POETICS OF SPACE, Beacon Press, Boston.O. Cappleman and M.J. Jordan, (1993).FOUNDATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York P.Laseau and J. Tice, (1992). F.L.WRIGHT: BETWEEN PRINCIPLE & FORM, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.T.Mitchell, (1993). REDEFINING DESIGNING: FROM FORM TO EXPERIENCE Van Nostrand Reinhold, NewYork,Design Research (PART 1) pp. 35-61.Intangible Design (PART 2) pp.119-131 S.E. Rasmussen, (1994). “On the Planning Crises: Systems Analysis of the First and the Second Generation”, working paper, No: 107, Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley.H Sanoff, (1995). Sommers, (1969). PERSONAL SPACE, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.C.Spencer, M. Blades. (2006). CHILDREN AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS: LEARNING, USING AND DESIGNING SPACES, Cambridge University Press, ISBN0521837782, 9780521837781.Tashen, (2006). ARCHITECTURAL THEORY: FROM RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT, Köln. C.S. Weinstein, T.G. David, (eds), 1987. SPACE FOR CHILDREN, The Built Environment and Child Development, Plenum Press, New York. Venturi R., (1966) COMPLEXITY AND CONTRADICTION IN ARCHITECTURE, The Museum of Modern Art Papers. Palladio A., (1965), THE FOUR BOOKS OF ARCHITECTURE, Dover Publications, Inc., New York. Bacon, E., (1967) DESIGN OF CITIES, Published by Penguin Books. Koolhaas R., (1978) DELIRIOUS NEW YORK, The Monacelli Press. JACOBS J., (1989) The Death and life of great American Cities. Vitruvius, M.,THE TEN BOOKS ON ARCHITECTURE
Laboratory Work: 0
Computer Usage: Yes
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Proficiency in primary research and interviewing.
2 Ability to contextualize design within related modes of thought, i.e. philosophy, sociology, anthropology, history, and aesthetics.
3 Ability to produce a concept map of a design practice.
4 Ability to write a critically constructive profile of a living designer.
5 To develop design thinking skills on theoretical fields
6 Understanding the role of applied research in determining function, form, and systems and their impact on human conditions and behavior.
7 To assess the architectural elements and materials in view of theory
8 To develop communication skills: ability to read, write, speak and listen effectively
9 To be able to analyze the tangible and intangible factors in architectural design
10 Cultural and historical study of important milestones in the theory of architecture.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture Program
1 Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively
2 Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards
3 Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process
4 Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work
5 Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design
6 Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites
7 Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team
8 International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them
9 National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition
10 Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects
11 Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.
12 Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment
13 Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
25
Presentation
1
25
Term Paper
1
40
Attendance
10
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 15 3 45
Mid-terms 1 15 15
Assignments 5 5 25
Final examination 1 20 20
Other 0
Total Work Load:
150
Total Work Load/25(h):
6
ECTS Credit of the Course:
6