Post-war history of construction and architecture

“Post-war history of construction and architecture” will expand on current tendencies, concepts and methods prevalent in the disciplines dealing with post-WWII construction and architecture. The recurrent theme is determined by the broad and decisive changes instigated by the introduction of new technologies and methods in the field of architecture, construction and building in the period 1945-1970. The thematic focus can change per annum, while for specific cases the period assessed can be enlarged.

A selection of these new post-war technological and post-war “tools” will be treated in detail, confronting the students with the interweaving of fields of knowledge and their interdisciplinary approach. Among these “tools” : prefabrication, plastics, lightweight building (tensegrity, 3D frames, tensile structures), modern wood, new requirements in comfort, …

The course will introduce students to the historiographical practices of both fields and critically assess their differences and overlaps.

As such, the course aims:

(1) at offering general knowledge on relevant historical facts, their complex relations and impact and their interrelated historiographies;

(2) at developing a critical understanding of research in the contemporary histories of construction and architecture;

(3) at training students in scientific research, reading and writing, based largely on a delineated, but broad corpus of primary texts.

On completion of this module students are aware of the current topics and research methods in the history of construction and architecture. They are able to engage in research activities such as critical reading, bibliographic research (journals, books, databases and when applicable: archives) and written and oral, critical assessment of a defined topic in post-war construction and/or architecture history.

Ex cathedra teaching (12h), by the titular and/or guests.

Collective critical reading (in pairs or small groups).

Scientific writing with consultancy (in pairs or small groups) and peer review.

Presentations by students (in pairs or small groups).

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

• conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorisation in industry and society

• correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper

• present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience

• collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team

• a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society

• a critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others

• consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects

• the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context

• architectural sciences and sustainable design methods and theories with the specificity of their application to complex architectural and urban design projects

• critically analyse and reflect on the historical and theoretical context of architectural and urban projects

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

ADDIS, Bill. Building: 3000 years of design engineering and construction. London: Phaidon, 2007

ARNOLD, Dana, Elvan Altan ERGUT and Belgin TURAN ÖZKAYA, eds., Rethinking Architectural Historiography, New York: Routledge, 2006

BANHAM, Reyner, The architecture of the well-tempered environment. London: Architectural press, 1969

BRAHAM, William W. & Jonathan A. HALE. Rethinking Technology. A Reader in Architectural Theory. New York: Routledge, 2007

CURTIS, William J. Modern architecture since 1900. London: Phaidon, 1982.

WILLIAMS GOLDHAGEN, Sarah & Réjean LEGAULT, eds. Anxious Modernisms. Experimentation in Postwar Architectural Culture. Montreal/Cambridge: CCA/MIT Press, 2000.

FANELLI, Giovanni and Roberto GARGIANI, Histoire de l’architecture moderne. Structure et revêtement. Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, 2008.

FRAMPTON, Kenneth. Studies in tectonic culture: the poetics of construction in nineteenth and twentieth century architecture. Chicago: Graham foundation for advanced studies in the fine arts, 1995.

GARGIANI, Roberto, ed. L’architrave, le plancher, la plate-forme. Nouvelle histoire de la construction. Lausanne : Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, 2012.

PICON, Antoine, ed. L’art de l’ingénieur: constructeur, entrepreneur, inventeur. Paris: Le Moniteur, 1997.

Contacts

Email for appointment : Rika.Devos@ulb.ac.be

Service BATir : Av. Buyl, 87, bâtiment C, 5ième étage.

Tél: 02/650 65 53

Method(s) of evaluation

• Other

Other

Students are evaluated on the basis of various assignments, with intermediate submissions. The final, major assignment is the writing of a scientific paper, to be presented in the last session. Students also engage in a peer review procedure during this process.

Students are evaluated on the course content by oral examination.

ATTENTION: during the academical year 2017-8 a written exam will be organised, replacing the oral examination.

Language(s) of evaluation

• english