Course Description

The purpose of this course is to begin an architectural conversation that will lead to your Post Professional project whether it is a Thesis or Masters Design Study. Many of you may have been involved in the profession in ways that minimize critical discourse. We hope that the readings and discussions in this seminar will reconnect practice and theory.

The course will be broken into six, two-week modules. The first week will be a discussion based on readings in architectural theory and the second will look at related practice and writings. Each of you will be responsible for 1-2 'practice' presentations. By the end of the semester, each of you should be ready to write a personal manifesto and present it to the class.

Module 1
Architectural Praxis
Readings and buildings from Stan Allen and others

Module 2
Synchronic History
Readings from Anthony Vidler, buildings from Aldo Rossi and others

Module 3
Theory versus Ideology
Readings from Mario Gandelsonas, buildings from Peter Eisenman and others

Module 4
Building the City
Readings and buildings from Rem Koolhaas and others

Module 5
Drawing from Maps
Readings and projects from James Corner and others

Module 6
Diagrams Matter
Readings and buildings from Ben van Berkel and others

Final Project
Presentations of Individual Manifestos