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The course aims to assert the poetic and experiential in pursuit of meaning in architecture. It advocates the integration of the complexities involved in creating buildings. The course aims to create an awareness of the physical components of architecture through the investigation of topics relating to memory, poetry, culture, perception, and emotions. The course will then develop into a more physical investigation of the assimilation of the building through the concepts of tectonics, with minor readings on urban design to relate back to the design studio. The course aims to be a strong foundation for the preceding theory course of 2b

Specifically, the course has as its objectives the following:

1. Creating an awareness of the possibilities inherent in a philosophical approach to architecture, Primarily architecture is an object, but cannot be designed as such, because of factors that influence its form, expression, scale, and use, architectural theories will be used to explain why this is so.
2. Insisting on the sometimes contradictory nature of architectural theory, highlighting how architecture can be approached from different perspectives with discrete aims.
3. Utilising the ideas behind architecture as a method of reflection on Studio projects, as a feedback loop.
4. Encouraging active engagement with the literature. The student is expected to read widely from the course content, and elsewhere.
5. Encouraging participation in the lecture series – the student is not as consumer of information, but a role-player in debate.
6. Introducing the various components and methods of academic research and writing.
7. Engaging with the built environment through site visits and precedent and case studies.

To develop an appreciation of the concealed and the emotional components that form part of the assimilation of architecture, with a more developed and matured academic engagement. For the student, to develop the ability to integrate various theories and views in literature, from the philosophical to the empirical to enhance their critique and development of their design concepts.

 After this course, the student is expected to display an awareness of and ability in the following:

1. The philosophical potentials of architecture, transcending the pragmatic.
2. The range of thinking is employable in preparation for architectural design, along with a realization of the complex aesthetic and social parameters requiring integration.
3. Various aspects of academic research, including essay writing, referencing, presentation, etc.
4. The combination of analog and digital presentation methods.

3. Content: Meaning in Architecture.

Tectonics and Representation. The House as Manifesto. The Phenomenology of ‘Dwelling’. Social and Cultural Considerations. The Experiential.

The Theory of Architecture 2A course builds on material developed in the 1B course, including the phenomenological approach of Norberg-Schulz and related content from Unwin’s text, Analysing Architecture. However, it takes these initial inputs and places them in a larger field of study, with Heidegger’s text, Building, Dwelling, Thinking as the umbrella ‘statement’.

This initial philosophical contribution provides the impetus of the course, which is phenomenological in spirit. Thereafter it is divided into several associated components and leads to a more metaphysical approach, which is tectonics.

Important concepts to cover:

• Language of form
• Poetry of space
• Representation in architecture
• Concept of dwelling
• Pattern language
• Culture and identity
• Tectonics

Lectures:

The lecture series is the backbone of the course. Topics are introduced, with specific reference to acknowledged authors in architectural theory. Students are encouraged to participate in this series, as debate is important to understanding.

Seminars / Discussions:

 There will be set seminal and formal discussions with guests and local lecturers. There will be structured and informal discussions where the students learn through the act of self-teaching and peer learning as an added and alternative form of amassing knowledge.

Field Trips:

To provide direct interaction with the built environment to investigate and experience how various theories and principles have been applied and used. Students can engage how successfully or unsuccessfully these theories and principles have been applied.

Assignments:

The majority of the assignments will be in the form of written comprehension, where the student will be tested in the understanding of the prescribed readings and added research around the given topics. Composition and academic writing skills will form part of the assessment in the criteria.

Presentation:

The oral and visual presentation will form part of the assessment. The student should be able to articulate the various theoretical research orally and visually as an extension of the design visual and communication presentation module.

Projects:

Longer projects help to give students time to consolidate knowledge from a larger perspective, to aid in the integration and deepening of the lecture content.

Students are assessed on the following, depending on the nature of the assignment:

Content:

Ability to digest the literature and case studies; analysis of precedent as well as the student’s own work; and synthesis of ideas from different, often opposing views.

Form:

Ability to present the above in legible, well-composed, neatly written / typed and drawn work. Analogue and digital work are used in parallel and together. Correct academic format, including referencing, is put into effect.

Simon Unwin, Analyzing Architecture

Jacob Voorthuis, Towards a descriptive tectonic

Guston Bachelard, Poetics of Space

Dewey, The pragmatist theory

A Memarian + N Niazkar, Lost space of Architecture in the context of lost space

Martin Heidegger, Building thinking dwelling

Kenneth Frampton, Reflections on the scope of the techtonic

Kenneth Frampton, The case of the tectonic (Rappel a LOrdre)

8. Lecture Series:

The lecture series is divided into topics, not weeks, as some ideas are more complex than others.

1. Introduction lecture – Architectural theory overview - 28 February
2. Language/ representation and truth in architecture – Collin Davies - 6 March
3. Poetics of space – Guston Bachelard - 13 March
4. Concept of dwelling –Norburg Schultz - 20 March
5. Analyzing Architecture – Simon Unwin - 27 March
6. Pattern Language – Christopher Alexander - 3 April
7. Building, Thinking, Dwelling – Martin Heidegger - 10 April
8. Identity + Culture in buildings- Amos Rappoport + Piere Von Meiss - 17 April
9. Reflections on the scope of Tectonics – Kenneth Frampton - 24 April
10. WORKERS DAY                                                                                               1 May
11. The case of the Tectonic ( Rappel A LOrde ) – Kenneth Frampton- 15 May
12. Materials, Forms, Architecture- 22 May
13. Movie – Louis kahn + Norman Foster- 29 May
14. Revision - 05 June

Second semester will focus on the discussion around globalization and critical regionalism. 

Welcome to the BBA Microeconomics course.

I shall be taking you for this course during this semester at the PMB campus.  The  online classes will be held on Tuesdays, starting on 13 Feb at 17h30, ending at 20h3.    

The teaching materials  for this course will be placed on E-learning.  You are advised to read the online materials before attending the evening class, each week.  Details about the course and assessments are in the course outline. 

Assessments are campus specific.  Students registered on the PMB campus are not allowed to write tests meant for DBN campus.  

Hope you will find the course interesting and your learning experience would be a fruitful one. 

Professor D. Mahadea