Course detail

Architecture of 20th Century

FA-A2A-TEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on the interpretation of the history and theory of architecture during the 20th century, from Art Nouveau through Expressionism to the late functionalism and to its transition in organic and classicist tendencies, then to the postmodern wave and deconstructivism at the turn of the millennium.
In the study programmes “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the theoretical courses.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. arch. Vladimír Šlapeta, DrSc.

Department

Department of Theory (UT)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral exam.
The assessment will be carried out according to the ECTS scale. To pass the exam, the student must obtain at least 50% of the point.
Students attend lectures. Two absences per semester are tolerated, more absences in case of serious reasons must be discussed with the teacher.

Aims

Introduction to selected chapters of architecture during the 20th century in Bohemia, Central Europe, and the world.
  • Students will be able to orientate in the development of architecture in the Czech Republic and Central Europe.
  • Students will understand the connections between the individual trends in the 20th century architecture.
  • Students will know significant works of European and non-European architecture from the 20th century.
  • Students will get an overview of important authors from the 20th century architecture.
  • Students will get a basic overview of the 20th century architectural trends.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BRITTON, Karla. Auguste Perret. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 2001. ISBN: 0-7148-4043-2. (EN)
BYKOV, Alex; GUBKINA, Ievgeniia; NICOLSON, John. Soviet modernism, brutalism, post-modernism: buildings and projects in Ukraine 1955 - 1991. Berlin: DOM Publishers, 2019. ISBN 978-3-86922-706-1. (EN)
CURTIS, William J. R. Modern Architecture Since 1900. Phaidon Press Ltd, 1996. ISBN: 9780714833569. (EN)
FIEDLER, Jeannine; FEIERABEND, Peter; ACKERMANN, Ute. Bauhaus. Köln]: H.F. Ullmann, 2006. ISBN: 978-3-8331-5436-2. (EN)
FRAMPTON, Kenneth. Modern Architecture: A Critical History: 1 (World of Art). Thames and Hudson Ltd, 2007. ISBN: 978-0500203958. (EN)
LE CORBUSIER. Le Corbusier: houses. Tokyo: TOTO Publishing, 2001. ISBN: 978-4-88706-198-9. (EN)
McCARTER, Robert; AALTO, Alvar. Aalto. London: Phaidon Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0-71484442-8. (EN)
McKEAN, John. Pioneering British "High Tech". London: Phaidon, 1999. ISBN 0-7148-3880-2. (EN)
SARNITZ, August. Otto Wagner: forerunner of modern architecture. Köln: Taschen, 2005. ISBN: 3-8228-3647-8. (EN)
TOURNIKIOTIS, Panayotis. Adolf Loos. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2002. ISBN: 1-56898-342-5. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NE_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (2023) , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (2023) , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 3 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. arch. Vladimír Šlapeta, DrSc.