Course detail

Theory of Architecture 2

FA-TA2-TEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on the integration of theoretical thinking and architectural design. The theory is presented as a discipline which may define the author´s approach of a specific architect, but also to react to current cultural, societal, and environmental topics which are interrelated with architecture. Students will learn to understand the benefits of theory to the design process, the relation of theory to possible methods and frameworks of design, and thus they will strengthen their ability to evaluate the hierarchy of priorities which should architecture refer to. Students will familiarize themselves with selected theoretical texts by contemporary practising architects – developing the course Theory of Architecture 1 – Introduction, and the analysis of ways how the given thoughts might be projected into their design. The course contributes to realisation of legitimacy of differentiated stances, but also the need for students´ clear argumentation, which is enhanced by writing their own text.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Department of Design (UN)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course is ended by a credit. It is required to attend 80 % of seminars, to present the main idea of the work and the way of argumentation, and to submit an essay.
Active participation in the lessons. Absences must be compensated by self-study.
When students excuse their absence, they can compensate their absence by individual arrangement with the guarantor. 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 aim of the course is to show that architectural theory is not disconnected from the practice, but it is a discipline which is closely related to designing. In this course, students will learn to understand that the way of thinking about architecture, which is characteristic for the theory, is not present only in the work of top architects, but it can help them to design better. By writing texts and discussing the assigned literature, students will improve their critical thinking and the skill to formulate their stances.
  • Students will be able to recognise the theoretical rationales, to identify their presence in a particular design, and to critically assess them.
  • Students will realise their own way of thinking about architecture, and will improve their ability to evaluate what is important.
  • Students will be prepared to clearly formulate and justify by theory their stances as a creative architect, but also with regard to the society which they will influence, and the environment that they enter.
  • By writing their own text, students will improve their professional communication and also their ability to evaluate the relevance of received information and opinions.
  • Students will have the notion of various characters of theoretical problems, and experience with searching for relevant literature.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

BEDFORD, Joseph. Theory's Curriculum: The Architecture Exchange Workshop Series, No. 3. Architecture Exchange Press, 2020. ISBN: 978-0998375021. (EN)
GRAHAM, James, ed. 2000+. The Urgencies of Architectural Theory. New York: Columbia Books on Architecture and the City, 2015. ISBN-13: 978-1941332078. (EN)
CHING, Francis D.K. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, 2014. ISBN: 978-1118745083. (EN)
KOOLHAAS, Rem. Conversations with Students. Princeton Architectural Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-1885232021. (EN)
KRIER, R. Architectural Composition. Reprint, 2010. ISBN: 978-3936681390. (EN)
MEISS, P. von. Elements of Architecture: From Form to Place, 2000. ISBN: 978-0747600374. (EN)
PALLASMAA, Juhani. The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses. Wiley, 2012. ISBN: 978-1119941286. (EN)
PLOWRIGHT, Philip D. Revealing Architectural Design: Methods, Frameworks and Tools. London: Routledge, 2014. ISBN: 978-0415639026. (EN)
SMITH, Korydon. Introducing Architectural Theory: Debating a Discipline. New York: Routledge, 2012. ISBN 978-0415888387. Dostupné z: doi:10.4324/9780203084236 (EN)
ZUMTHOR, Peter. Thinking Architecture. Birkhäuser Architecture, 2010. ISBN: 978-3034605854. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer