History and Theory of Architecture I

Abstract

Introduction and overview of the history and theory of architecture from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century. The course covers the chronology and key works, protagonists and discourses of early modern European architecture.Fundamentals for the History and Theory of Architecture I-II provides a practical introduction to the methods and instruments of the history of art and architecture.

Objective

1. Acquiring basic knowledge of the history and theory of architecture during the early modern period, of its key protagonists and discourses and of the methods and instruments of architectural research. 2. Identifying the main architectural issues and debates of the period and recognising the places and architectural works covered in the course. 3. Acquiring the tools to develop a historically informed reading of the built environment, recognising debates, styles, ideas and problems which drive and inform architectural production. 4. Developing the tools to draw on historical, theoretical and critical research to the benefit to one's own architectural culture.

Content

The course History and Theory of Architecture I-II offers a chronological and thematic overview of the architecture and architectural theory produced in Europe from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Thematic lectures about key questions at play during the period will be combined with in-depth analysis of historical buildings, texts and iconographies. Themes will cover the emergence and development of Vitruvian design theory and practice up to the 19th century and related issues such as the emergence of the architect; the development of original design practices and of divergent theories of architectural composition and design; the media of architectural design and practice (drawings, models, building materials); patterns and media of dissemination and influence (books, imagery, micro-architecture); building types (the palazzo and the villa); questions of beauty and ornament; questions of patronage (e.g., the Roman papacy) and the formation of religious and political symbolism through architecture; the relation of buildings to the city (e.g. the development of European capitals); attitudes towards history (origin myths, historicism); the question of the monument. The exercises Fundamentals of the History and Theory of Architecture I-II aim to explore and develop basic methods and strategies to research the history of art and architecture. They consist of four parts, each developed under one of the four gta Chairs and each dealing with a particular area of study in the field of architecture and art history. (1) The historiography of architecture (M. Delbeke) (2) Architectural media (L. Stalder). (3) Architecture and art (P. Ursprung) (4) Urbanism and the Commons (T. Avermaete)

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