Course detail

Interpretation of Architecture 1

FA-IA1-TAcad. year: 2023/2024

The aim of this course is to gain knowledge of scientific interpretation of architecture using the close reading method. Theoretical and practical experience with interpreting architectural work using this method on the basis of lectures, seminars, consultations and individual study of architectural works and literature.
In the study programme “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the theoretical courses.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. arch. Monika Mitášová, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Theory (UT)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Evaluation is based on active participation in the lectures and seminars, interim consultations, and final presentation of the interpretation text (essay, article, study), or textual-visual work (lecture, installation, exhibition).
Active participation, in-semester consultations, presentation of the interpretation and evaluation. Absences will be compensated on a different date as agreed with the students.
In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the subject guarantor, personal attendance may be substituted with online attendance in the classes.

Aims

To gain knowledge of scientific interpretation of architecture using the close reading method. Theoretical and practical experience with interpreting architectural work using this method on the basis of lectures, seminars, consultations and individual study of architectural works and literature.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

EISENMAN, Peter: Giuseppe Terragni. Trasformations, Decompositions, Critiques. New York: The Monacelli Press, 2003 a EISENMAN, Peter (auth.) – LOURIE, Ariane (ed.): Ten Canonical Buildings: 1950-2000. New York: Rizzoli, 2008. (CS)
MITÁŠOVÁ, Monika (ed.): Oxymorón a Pleonasmus. Texty kritické a projektivní architektury. Praha: Zlatý řez, 2011. (CS)
MITÁŠOVÁ, Monika: Interpretačné situácie: Interpretácia a metainterpretácia súčasnej architektúry. Praha: FA ČVUT, 2018. (CS)
ZERVAN, Marian – MITÁŠOVÁ, Monika: Za a proti interpretácii. In: Interpretačné metódy v architektúre (učební texty). Dostupné na: http://filozofia.truni.sk/userdata/publications/zervan_mitasova_interpretation_ukazka.pdf (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N_A+U Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme ARCHURB Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 4 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. arch. Monika Mitášová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Semester block schedule:
I. Introduction: Scientific interpretation of architectural work: method of critical close reading of architecture of the 20th century, as it was formulated by Peter Eisenman in the books „Giuseppe Terragni – Transformations, Decompositions, Critiques“ and „Ten Canonical Buildings“
Examples 1–2: Giuseppe Terragni: Casa del Fascio / Profiles of text: Luigi Moretti, Casa „Il Girasole“, 1947–1950. Assignment
II. Examples 3–4: The Umbrella Diagram: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Farnsworth House, 1946–1951 / Textual heresies: Le Corbusier, Palais des Congrès-Strasbourg, 1962–1964. Questions, discussion, and consultations of assignments
III. Examples 5–6: From plaid grid to diachronic space: Louis I. Kahn, Adler House and DeVore House, 1954–1955 / The nine-square diagram and its contradictions: Robert Venturi, Vanna Venturi House, 1959–1964. Questions, discussion, and consultations of assignments
IV. Examples 7–8: Material inversions: James Stirling, Leicester Engineering Building, 1959–1963 / Texts of analogy: Aldo Rossi, Cemetery of San Cataldo, 1971–1978. Questions, discussion, and consultations of assignments
V. Examples 9–10: Strategies of the void: Rem Koolhaas, Jussieu Libraries, 1992–1993 / The deconstruction of the axis: Daniel Libeskind, Jewish Museum, 1989–1999. Questions, discussion, and consultations of assignments
VI. Examples 11–13: The soft umbrella diagram: Frank O. Gehry, Peter B. Lewis Building, 1997–2002. Presentation of student interpretations. Discussion and evaluation