This document contains and extensive summary of the master course Architectural and Urban Theory. The information is derived from the given readers, lectures and study groups from Theory, Criticism and Philosophy. It goes beyond given facts and information, it even contains a comparison between Vi...
Architectural and urban theory
- Theory
- Criticism
- Philosophy
Course Code: 7QM6M0
,Theory
Week 1
Hanno-Walter Kruft: What is architectural theory?
Architectural theory: any written system of architecture.
An objective definition of the concept of architectural theory is impracticable since it is: -
Unhistorical and -Categorical. Theory is more subjective than objective, there is no absolute
truth.
Architectural theory concerns everything related to the mental exploration of design issues.
But it is not equal to design: what it does is that it reflects on the activity and the outcomes of
design. Theory is also not equal to history, although it uses historical information. Design and
history are sources for the practice of theory. Theory is how we can explain and understand
the facts of history and the products of design.
Theoretical work in addition to their architecture: Palladio and Frank Lloyd Wright, one will
never fully understand their building if one is not acquainted with their theoretical work and
vice versa. Architecture without any theoretical basis will be arbitrariness or stereotyped.
Architectural theory is is very real, because it starts in the material world; it also very organic,
because it follows the developments of disciplines; and, finally, it is also very dynamic,
because it takes the activity of design into account.
Media for theory:
− Treatise: contains the principles for practicing architecture, the formulas and the
recipes. Vitruvius or Alberti or Durand was: read my book and apply the rules that I
give you.
− Manifesto: is the personalized version of a treatise inspired by an urgent need. Le
Corbusier writes his personal version of the program of the historical avant-garde:
vers une architecture.
− Reflections: Reflections are generally produced in a more academic or distanced
atmosphere, where both the personal and the absolute pretensions of the treatise
and the manifesto are to be avoided and wide angled considerations are preferable.
− Compendia: may contain the most influential fragments of treatises, manifestoes and
reflections, acting like a kind of encyclopaedia. Kruft: A History of Architectural Theory
from Vitruvius to the Present (week 1 reader)
Style’ is a collective, shared system of representation, fairly permanent and crossing
geographical borders. Language’ has a more limited scope: in architecture it is personal or
perhaps local in range.
From Vitruvius to the Present: Vitruvitus (classical antiquity: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), Alberti
(three criteria for beauty: Number, Proportion and Distribution), Enlightenment and
Revolutionary Architecture, Ecole de Beaux-Arts and Ecole Polytechnique Paris: gothic
(Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc).
“Beauty is that reasoned harmony of all the parts within a body, so that nothing may be
added, taken away, or altered, but for the worse.” Alberti, p:156
,Week 2
Nelson Goodman: How Buildings Mean
Denotation, exemplification (literal exemplification or metaphorical =expression) and
mediated reference.
− Denotation expressed the exact meaning or exact definition of a ‘thing’ in a building.
denotation includes predication, description, exposition, portrayal and all pictorial
representations.
− Exemplification can be expressed literally or metaphorically.
o Literal exemplification expresses the literal meaning of a certain property or
feature of a building. The certain property or feature can be every aspect of
every quality of a building: function, size, shape, materials, texture, colour,
ornamentation, etc.
o Exemplification expressed metaphorically can also be called expression. This
expresses the metaphorical meaning of a certain property or feature of a
building. The properties can express feeling, ideas and/or activities
− Mediated reference: all together
When work actually means?
− Absolutism is varied, contrasting and is shifting ways, is open to interpretation
(work is and means what the architect intended),
− Radical relativism takes any interpretation, right or wrong, as any other, anything
goes if anything does (work is and means whatever anyone happens to say),
− Constructivist relativism deconstruction before reconstruction (recognition that
many construals are right while others are wrong)
Week 3
Sigmund Freud: Civilization and its discontents, chapter 1
Religion is an illusion, the true source of religious sentiment is the feeling or sensation of
eternity/limitless/unbounded: life after dead. Freud calls this the oceanic feeling. Call yourself
religious on grounds of this feeling.
Psycho analytic: explanation of a feeling, feeling is our own certainty: our ego. First
discovery: Façade: ego develops into an unconscious mental entity: shield. Ego is clear and
sharp. Ego is subject of disturbance and boundaries are not constant. Love: boundary
between ego and object disappear. Ego is process of development (not born with it).
Distinguish internal (ego) with external (outer world). Pathological disturbance to defend
unpleasure.
Preservation of the sphere in the mind: nothing in the mental mind can be deleted, in suitable
circumstances it can be brought back to light.
Comparison past of city to past of the mind. Is false, no comparison because, first,
preservation in mind is eternal and city with development continuing to exist alongside in
history but the same place cannot have two different contents (justification), in the city there
is a juxtaposition of space (because buildings decay/deconstruct). Second, mind in suitable
conditions (no illness) and city in suitable conditions (invaded by enemies) but not applicable
to a city because building are still deconstructed regarding its cause. What is natural for the
human mind is preservation, but for the city is development, demolition and replacement.
, Comparison body of animal to human being. In no sense are the phasis of development
preserved.
Analyzing modern state of mind. Parallel evolution of mind and development behaviour of a
city. Memories in mind are monuments in a city. Monuments are the memories of a city
Vitruvius: ten books on architecture
Classical architecture. Knowledge of many branches of study and varied kinds of learning, is
first beginning of practice and theory. Founding father of classical architecture. No scientific
description of architecture but a projection of it and a representation.
The thing signified (subject) and that what gives it significance (demonstration of scientific
principles).
Natural ability (gifted/talented) and instruction (education).
Architect needs to understand other principles of many arts and sciences to reach holy
ground of architecture: philosophy (work has to be done with honesty), music (voice in
unison/harmony, power is increased by shape of the building) and medicine (building safety
with taking into account the climates: air, healthy,waters). Al have a common bond of union
and intercourse with one another. Don’t have to be perfect in each, just general theories are
important.
Art composed of two thing: doing the work/practicing (training) and theory (scholar).
Practicing are those who have been trained to deal with one single art: carpentry. Theory:
trained to deal with different arts: architect. Knowledge of both disciplines: manual skills and
theory/scholarship, means authority.
Compared to a craftsman, an architect possesses skills in all departments of learning, while
the craftsman is ‘specially trained to deal with a single art. Architect general, craftsman
specific.
Principles or order, arrangement, eurythmy, symmetry, propriety and economy.
− Order: symmetrical agreement to the proportions of the whole.
− Arrangement: constructing whole in proper places and the effect of this.
− Eurythmy: member correspond together in beauty and finesse/fitness.
− Symmetry: agreement between members and relation between different parts
− Propriety: perfection of style within authority of style (the use of Doric, Ionic,
Corinthian)
− Economy: proper management of materials and of site: balance of costs and common
sense in construction work.
Human body is in symmetry and proportions. Perfect building is as human body.
Perfect number is 10 (because of 10 fingers) for ancient. Perfect number is 6 (because it is
composed of integrated parts and foot is also 1/6 of human body) for mathematics. Later
combined to perfect number 10+6=16.
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