Architectural Theory: From Vitruvius until Today

The course offers a broad overview of the main contributions to architectural theory. It covers two thousand years of thinking and writing, but concentrates in particular on the last two centuries. Within this timespan it traces changes and continuities concerning topics, ideas, notions and parameters, conceiving architectural theory as an ongoing conversation about architecture. In doing so, theoretical models are considered within wider cultural contexts.The thematic lectures focus on basic issues of architecture: origins of architecture, space,  place, transparency, structure and function; semiotics/language.

Introduction to key issues of architectural theory from antiquity to the present day, with particular attention to theoretical ideas developed from the 18th to the 20th century – conveying the skills for critical reading in general, and in particular for the critical analysis of the argumentation of various authors who wrote in different cultural contexts – evaluation of the impact of theories on architectural ideas – developing an understanding of different types of theoretical ideas and concepts

In presence

90% Lectures
10% Seminars

Oral exam. The question list for the oral exam will be published at the beginning of the semester. It will consist of ca. 100 questions subject to amendments. At the exam students will blindly select a ticket with a random combination of three questions. They will have 15 min to prepare and 15 min to answer the questions to the examiner.