Course detail

Theory of Architecture 3

FA-TA3-TEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course develops the topics from Theory of Architecture 1 and 2 and continues to raise awareness of a wide range of topics in the discourse of theory of architecture. The course presents theory of architecture as a discipline which is not only related to the practice, but as a discipline without which the good practice cannot exist. The course focuses on understanding of theoretical texts, and via writing essays, it strengthens the ability to reflect on the studied text, to formulate a professional opinion, and to identify students´ theoretical inclinations. Via reading selected texts, students are introduced to various topics - from current cultural, societal, and environmental topics to the “eternal” topic of aesthetics, and approaches of individual authors – which do not have to provide direct instruction for the process of architectural or urban design, but they broaden students´ angle to the questions that architecture continuously raises.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course is ended by a credit. It is required to submit an essay and its regular consultation/discussion (at least once a semester).
Active participation in the lessons. Consultation of the draft of the essay. Absences must be compensated by self-study. 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 goal of the course is to develop students´ thinking about architecture via reading theoretical texts. In terms of creation of architecture and everything that is related, but also how architecture influences people and the environment. The course includes topics that exceed the common technical or practical aspects of architecture which, however, often and significantly impact the quality of architecture. The course gives students an opportunity to improve their understanding of complex texts from the theory of architecture via discussion and writing, but also to improve their ability to think critically about their own designs, and to formulate ideas that become a basis of their design.
  • Students will get a clear idea of the nature of theoretical texts and their meaning for practising architects.
  • Students will know how to discern various ideational rationales, to identify their presence in a particular design, but also to evaluate their relevance to their work/own thinking.
  • Students will be able to reflect the studied texts in written essays and will be ready to react to various topics.
  • Students will enhance their competence to express their opinion to important social/cultural/environmental topics and to discuss about them.
  • Students will be able to critically evaluate the qualities or imperfections of their own thinking, and thus to come to better results in their work.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

EISENMAN, P., KOOLHAAS, R., KIPNIS, J. SOMOL, R., STEELE, B. Supercritical. AA Publications, 2007. ISBN: 978-1902902517. (EN)
KAHN, L. I., MERRILL, Michael. The importance of a drawing. Lars Müller Publishers, 2021. ISBN: 978-3037786444. (EN)
KAHN, L. I. Silence and Light. Park Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-3906027180. (EN)
SCOTT BROWN, D. Having words. AA Publications, 2009. ISBN: 978-1902902708. (EN)
SOLA-MORALES, I. de. Differences: Topographies of Contemporary Architecture. Writing Architecture, 1996. ISBN: 978-0262540858. (EN)
VENTURI, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. NY: The Museum of Modern Art, 1977. ISBN: 978-0870702822. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

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

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer