Course detail

Theory of Architecture 1 – Introduction

FA-TA1-TEAcad. year: 2025/2026

Students will gain experience and knowledge of systematic and general theoretical thinking which is an essential component of designing and creating architecture, and also of critical thinking and awareness of history. Students will discern the relations and differences between criticism, theory, and history of architecture, as well as between general and specific theories. They will gain knowledge about theories of experiencing and conceptualizing architecture, its performativity, interactivity, and responsivity. They will gain access to consideration of basic terminology and concepts of time, space and movement of architecture, as well as the problems of settlement, home, and inhabiting. They will gain the experience and ability to formulate their own architectural discourse and text in relation to the language, discourse, and writing of traditional and less established, and emerging theories of architecture.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

1

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

The evaluation includes
  1. study of literature assigned for the following lecture,
  2. active participation in the discussion.
For the examination, students submit their notes from the whole semester. The grade will be not awarded without submitting written assignments throughout the semester. In case of absence at three or more lectures, students will elaborate an individual assignment which will be submitted to the examination.
Students will prepare for the lectures, and study the recommended literature assigned for the following lecture according to the topics. Students will actively participate in the discussions. Two absences at the lectures are accepted. The lectures cannot be compensated, only excused. For the examination, students will submit the notes from their own preparation during the semester. In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the supervisor, personal participation may be substituted with online participation in the studio.

Aims

The course aims to introduce students to the basic problems, terminology, and concepts of general and special theories of architecture, and their relations to criticism and history. The course will enable students to critically formulate and reflect the differences and connections between architectural theories, practices, and design practices, realizations, experiencing and reflections of architecture. Students will gain experience in verbalized and written theoretical thinking, its horizons, and limits.
  • Students will gain the knowledge and expertise of the relations between criticism, theory, and history of architecture.
  • Students will gain the abilities necessary to cultivate architectural thinking in relation to themselves, to their design practice, and to the practice of generalising their own experiences and experience with architecture.
  • Students will gain access to theorization of architecture as a ideational architectural experiments and their falsification in an academic discussion.
  • At the lectures students will acquire an ability to think, speak, and write more systematically, and theoretically.
  • Students will be able to formulate their own rationales, methods and conclusions.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

HAYS, Michael (ed.). Architecture Theory Since 1968. Cambridge - Mass.: MIT Press, 1998. 978-0262581882. (EN)
LEACH, Niel: Rethinking Architecture. A Reader in Cultural Theory. London UK: Routledge Taylor a and Francis Group , 2006. (EN)
MALLGRAVE, H. F.: Architectural Theory. Volume I. An Anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Oxford UK: Blackwell Publishing, 2006. (EN)
McCARTER, Robert – PALASMAA, Juhani: Understanding Architecture. Phaidon 2013. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

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