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ISMAT 7997

Theory of Architecture I

Architecture
  • ApresentaçãoPresentation
    In etymological terms, theory, from the Greek the¿ria or the¿ros, means looking at, seeing, contemplating, but also considering and speculating. It is a point of view, a perspective on things, their description and, of course, an attempt to understand them and give them meaning. In general terms, theory can be defined as a way of seeing, understanding, explaining and clarifying events or objects. Theory is also a way of questioning assumptions, present realities and the way in which discourse is formed and maintained. Its task is to make sense of the world and form intelligible narratives, guiding thought from the particular to the universal through abstraction. It is through the articulation between the abstract and the concrete that theory acquires the capacity to act. It is this capacity that allows the theory to assert itself as an instrument of intervention and change in a rapidly changing world. Theory is, therefore, simultaneously a form of thought and a form of action.
  • ProgramaProgramme
    The course is divided into different questions that seek to characterize and interrogate the definition and limits of architecture and, simultaneously, use, for each question, an instrument capable of dissecting the set of contents and authors addressed. However, its use, privileging different geographies, genres, and cultures, is not so much as programmatic content, but as examples that prove or disprove certain possible positions, approaches, or interpretations. Given the infinity of possible answers, a definitive solution-or even a consensus-is not sought for each question.   P1: Theory - what is theory? P2: Drawing - what is an architect? P3: Treatise - what is architecture? P4: Photography - what is history? P5: Essay - what is criticism? P6: Discourse - what is discipline? P7: Diagram - what is research? P8: Manifesto - what is originality? P9: Narrative - what is the canon? P10: Project - what is a profession? P11: Archive - what is teaching?
  • ObjectivosObjectives
    For architectural theory to maintain its relevance, it must preserve its historical significance as observation (the¿ria) and as theatre (theã). While the former confers a certain agency on the observer over the object seen, the latter transfers this agency to the means (or medium) of framing, performance, and/or visualization. It is in this sense that students are expected to achieve the following objectives: O1: To know - the tools used by the discipline, their purposes, limits and users, identifying and characterizing the underlying issues; O2: To analyze - and interpret objectively and accurately the different oral, written and visual documents; O3: To reflect - on some of the defining issues and instruments of the discipline, in an objective, logical, coherent and relevant way; O4: To communicate - with quality, rigor and clarity in the structuring and organization of oral, written and visual records, including the different forms of communication and representation.
  • BibliografiaBibliography
    Aureli, P. V. (2017, August 7). How we became architects. The City as a Project. Colomina, B. (2014). Manifesto architecture: The ghost of Mies. Sternberg Press. Jaque, A., & Office for Political Innovation. (2018). IKEA disobedients. Koolhaas, R., & Mau, B. (1995). S,M,L,XL. The Monacelli Press. Le Corbusier. (1986). Towards a new architecture (F. Etchells, Trans.). Dover Publications. (Original work published 1923) Leach, N. (2005). A anestética da arquitetura. Antígona. (Original work published 1999) Maciel, J. (2002). Vitrúvio: Tratado de arquitetura. IST Press. Ockman, J. (2017, October 27). Slashed. History/Theory. e-flux Architecture. Rattenbury, K. (Ed.). (2002). This is not architecture: Media constructions. Routledge. Siza, Á. (2009). Oito pontos. In 01 textos. Civilização Editora. Venturi, R., Scott Brown, D., & Izenour, S. (1972). Learning from Las Vegas. MIT Press.
  • MetodologiaMethodology
    In accordance with the reflective and exploratory nature of this course unit, students are expected to experiment with different tools and working methods. The aim is to diversify reflection approaches.   M1: Expository lectures; M2: Analysis of different records (textual and graphic); M3: Collective discussion; M4: Individual written reflections; M5: Guided work; M6: Public presentations.
  • LínguaLanguage
    Português
  • TipoType
    Semestral
  • ECTS
    4
  • NaturezaNature
    Mandatory
  • EstágioInternship
    Não