Critical architectural theories

Duration

24h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Bernard Kormoss

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course of discursive analysis examines contemporary architectural theories, as developed through the writings of architectural historians, theorists and practitioners since 1968. The scope of interest comprises architectural history/critique/theory and opens up towards questions of Critical and Cultural Theory (cf. cultural studies). A reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course, with a complementary reader (selection of critical essays).
The students will read, synthetize and develop a critical argument on thematic issues, starting from a group discussion of primary and secondary sources. The didactic tools include individual readings, group discussions, external interventions/lectures and individual writings (in the form of a critical essay of about 3000 words). The discussions are the result of individual readings and active participation of the students. The teacher acts as a moderator (cf. problem based learning).
The course is conceived as a workshop/seminar of discursive analysis, i.e. as a platform for critical reflection. . In addition to the course, links could be made with external lectures and conferences.
This year, the course will focus on a critical reading of  recent publications on Japanese architecture, with a special focus on the work of SANAA. The actual thematic of this course will parallel the thematic of the course 1803 (spatial analysis of the work of SANAA).     
The readings will be selected from the following list:
PUBLICATIONS

• ALLEN Matthew, Control Yourself! Lifestyle Curation in the work of Sejima and Nishizawa, Architecture at the Edge of Everything Else, Work Books/MIT Press, 2010.
• DANIELL Thomas, After the Crash: Architecture in Post-Bubble Japan, Princeton Architectural Press, 2008.
• FEIREISS Kristin (Ed.), Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA', , The Zollverein School of Management and Design Essen, Germany, Prestel Verlag, München, 2006
• GRIMA Joseph, WONG Karen (Eds.) (2008) Shift: SANAA and the New Museum, Lars Miuller, 2008.
• HASEGAWA Yuko, Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa: SANAA, Phaidon Press, 2006
• IDENBURG Florian (Ed.), The SANAA Studios 2006-2008. Learning from Japan: Single Story Urbanism. Princeton University, School of Architecture, Lars Muller, 2010, pp. 58-57.
• LUCAN Jacques, Précisions sur un état présent de l'architecture, PPUR, Lausanne, 2015 (chapitres 1 et 2).
• LUCAN Jacques, Composition et non-Composition, PPUR, Lausanne, 2013 (chapitres 29, 30).
• NIEDERMAYR Walter, Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA), ed., de Singel internationaal kunstcentrum, Antwerpen, Hatje-Cantz Verlag, Ostfildern, 2007.
• SEJIMA Kazuyo + NISHIZAWA Ryue/SANAA, SANAA_Works 1995-2003', Toto Shuppan Publishing, Tokio, 2003
• SEJIMA Kazuyo + NISHIZAWA Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA', 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Toto Shuppan Publishing, Tokio, 2005
• PEREZ RUBIO Agustin, SEJIMA Sejima + NISHIZAWA Ryue (Eds), SANAA Houses, Actar/Musac, 2007.
•  

• Kazuyo Sejima 1987-1999 / Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa 1995-1999', JA vol. 35, Shinkenchiku-sha, Tokio, 1991
• Kazuyo Sejima +Ryue Nishizawa, 1995-2000', El Croquis, nr.99, Madrid. 2000
• Kazuyo Sejima, + Ryue Nishizawa, SANAA 2000-2004, El Croquis, nr.121/122, Madrid, 2004
• Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa,\1987-2006, GA Architect nr.18, A.D.A, EDITA, Tokio, 2005
• Kazuyo Sejima , Ryue Nishizawa,SANAA, 2008-2011, El Croquis, nr.155, Madrid, 2011
• Kazuyo Sejima , Ryue Nishizawa,SANAA, 2011-2015, El Croquis, nr.179/180, Madrid, 2015
• Sanaa, Sejima&Nishizawa, AV Monografias 171-172,
• Luis Fernandez Galiano (Ed.), Sanaa, Sejima&Nishizawa, Arquitectura Viva, 2017
• Dossier Sanaa, Arquitectura Viva, AV Proyectos 77, 2016

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

- development of reading (close reading) and writing slills
- development of knowledge skills (analysis, synthesis, critical argumentation)
- development of scientific skills (writing of a scientific ciritical essay)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- basic writing skills and skills related to bibliographic research (cf. bachelor)
- knowledge related to theory and history of architecture 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

critical reading

• 1 or 2 chapters to read for each session (during the first 6 sessions)
• synthetic notes

• argument/main question
• key concepts/words
• definitions 
• references to authors and bibliographic references
• key sentences or synthetic passages
• abstract

• thematic, comparative, critical discussion

• research question
• development of themes and concepts
• structure of essay: introduction, development, conclusions
• critical essay  (3000 words minimum + abstract + illustrations

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

- face-to-face learning
- group debate
- comments on personnal readings (about 2 chapters a weak)

Recommended or required readings

- obligatory reading of one publication (close reading commented during the course)
- eventually readings of other articles (for the preparation of the writing)  

Assessment methods and criteria

- active participation during course and preparation
- evaluation of the critical essay according to the following criteriai's:
- quality of scientific writing, structure, development
- critical and personal argumentation;
- analytical and synthetic skills
- pertinence of research question and content  

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

b.kormoss@uliege