© 2015 albert-learning.com architectural theory architectural theory

© 2015 albert-learning.com

Architectural Theory

ARCHITECTURAL THEORY



Architectural theory is the act of thinking, discussing, and writing about architecture. Architectural theory is taught in most architecture schools and is practiced by the world's leading architects. Architectural theory is often didactic, and theorists tend to stay close to or work from within schools. It has existed in some form since antiquity, and as publishing became more common, architectural theory gained an increased richness. Books, magazines, and journals published an unprecedented amount of works by architects and critics in the 20th century. It is to be expected that the use of the internet will further the discourse on architecture in the 21st century.



Vocabulary

Didactic : Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

Antiquity : An object, building, or work of art from the ancient past.

Unprecedented : Never done or known before

Semiotic : The study of meaning-making, the philosophical theory of signs and symbols.

Rectilinear : Relating to a straight line or lines.

Chaos : Complete disorder and confusion.

Skeptical : Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.

Gastronomy : The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.



Peculiar : Different to what is normal or expected; strange.

Confronted : Come face to face with (someone) with hostile or argumentative intent.

Algorithms : A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.



Theory of Architecture

Deconstructivism

Post Modernism

Parametric Design

Futuristic Design

Cybertecture



Deconstructivism is a development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s. It is influenced by the theory of "Deconstruction", which is a form of semiotic analysis. It is characterized by fragmentation, an interest in manipulating a structure's surface, skin, non-rectilinear shapes which appear to distort and dislocate elements of architecture, such as structure and envelope. The finished visual appearance of buildings that exhibit deconstructivist "styles" is characterized by unpredictability and controlled chaos.



Postmodernism is a late-20th-century movement in the arts, architecture, and criticism that was a departure from modernism. Postmodernism includes skeptical interpretations of culture, literature, art, philosophy, history, economics, architecture, fiction, and literary criticism. It is often associated with deconstruction and post-structuralism because its usage as a term gained significant popularity at the same time as twentieth-century post-structural thought. The term postmodernism has been applied to a host of movements, many in art, music, and literature, that reacted against tendencies in modernism, and are typically marked by revival of historical elements and techniques.



The ground of Parametric design is the generation of geometry from the definition of a family of initial parameters and the design of the formal relations they keep with each other. It is about the use of variables and algorithms to generate a hierarchy of mathematical and geometric relations that allow you to generate a certain design, but to explore the whole range of possible solutions that the variability of the initial parameters may allow. It is the use of algorithms and advanced computational techniques not for the sake of drawing shapes, but creating formal possibilities. It is not about producing a solution, but the family of possible outcomes.



Futurism was an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It emphasized and glorified themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed, technology, youth and violence, and objects such as the car, the aero plane and the industrial city. It was largely an Italian phenomenon, though there were parallel movements in Russia, England and elsewhere The Futurists practiced in every medium of art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, urban design, theatre, film, fashion, textiles, literature, music, architecture and even gastronomy.



Inspired by nature and a firm believer of integration of design and technology, Law has evolved a very peculiar style of architecture that has been called Cybertecture. With works spread over major parts of the globe he is working consistently on both aspects of the building, he comes up with innovative ideas to create technology empowered buildings. The buildings that he designs are smart, efficient and make their contribution to the planet. The extensive use of computer simulations has an important role to play in designing these efficient buildings which are able to withstand the challenges that they are confronted with. The Cybertecture mirror and the Cybertecture nodal points are some of the significant innovations by James.



Where is this famous staircase located ?

a. The Opera House, Paris. b. The Vatican, Rome. c. Park Guell, Barcelona. d. International court of justice, hague.

Both Guggenheim museums were built by architects with the same first name, what name was It?

a. Johnb. Richardc. Frankd. Ludwig

Exercise



In which architectural style was this famous German cathedral designed?

a. Romanesque b. Baroque c. Gothic d. Renaissance

Which famous structure/ building was builtfor a World’s Fair?

a. The Big Ben b. The statue of liberty c. The Eiffel Tower d. The London Eye (Millennium Wheel)

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Documents

theory of deconstruction

architecture schools

work of art

philosophical theory

century movement

term postmodernism

literary criticism

controlled chaos