93690 - Construction History M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to recognise, historically place and critically evaluate the major architectures of the contemporary period, from the 1920s to the present day, knowing the main construction aspects and having the ability to place them in the city and the territory in which they are located. In particular, the student is able to - carry out archival research - carry out bibliographical research - critically structure a course of historical studies - recognise the main systems of forms in relation to the said historical period - describe and comment, in verbal and written form, on architecture belonging to the said historical period.

Course contents

The course aims to focus on a number of themes in international architecture and engineering spanning the last century, from the 1920s to the present day. The selection of works, designers and, more generally, case studies and typological themes is intended to encourage the study of aspects of contemporary history that have not been addressed, or have only been touched upon, in previous courses. This openness to new geographical contexts, languages and critical interpretations is intended not only to encourage the discovery and in-depth exploration of the proposed themes, but also to foster research topics (including from an interdisciplinary perspective) with a view to providing further stimulation and broadening the educational programme.

The three core modules will be organised primarily with a view to fostering a critical dialogue between key figures and works, set against a backdrop that ranges from local contexts to international perspectives, with particular reference to Italy and the Nordic countries, whilst not excluding regions outside Europe. The discussion of each topic on the course syllabus will draw on Italian and international publications, which will be duly cited and, in part, made available to students to facilitate their engagement with the proposed themes.

Finally, individual research will be encouraged through a number of assignments to be completed according to a timetable provided at the start of the course, as well as others chosen freely by the student.

 

INTRODUCTION. A preliminary note on the origins, evolution and demise of the Modern movement

MODULE 1. Geographies: the shifting interpretation of Modernism (1920-1945)

Distinctive features of Italian Rationalism in the 1930s (Ignazio Gardella, Adalberto Libera, Mario Ridolfi and Luigi Moretti)

The Nordic countries: between classicism, romanticism and functionalism (Ragnar Östberg and Ivar Tengbom; Erik Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz; Arne Jacobsen and Kay Fisker; Eliel Saarinen and Arne Krosmo)

The evolution of the link with Europe in North and South America (Richard Neutra and Lucio Costa).

MODULE 2. The City in the Second Half of the 20th Century (1945-1980)

London and Patrick Abercrombie’s plan; Sven Markelius and the new Stockholm; post-war reconstruction in Italy; changes in US cities.

Different interpretations of housing (the INA-Casa scheme in Italy; Ralph Erskine in Britain and Sweden; Sven Backström and Leif Reinius and Swedish neo-empiricism; France and Germany between reconstruction and new suburbs; the United States from the Case Study Houses to high-density housing).

Philip Johnson: the evolution of architectural language.

MODULE 3. Architects and engineers from the 20th century to the present day (1980-2020)

From Scandinavia to the world: Jørn Utzon and Ove Arup.

Ricardo Bofill and postmodernism: architecture, urban planning and history.

The Hi-Tech revolution: Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Nicholas Grimshaw.

Aspects of South American architecture: Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi and the new Brazil.

Similarities and differences in the work of the Five Architects.

Readings/Bibliography

To prepare for the exam, you may refer to the following book:

William J.R. Curtis, L’architettura moderna dal 1900, Phaidon, Londra 2006.

 

Equally important for the aims of the course and exam preparation are the books:

Kenneth Frampton, Storia dell’architettura moderna, Zanichelli Editore, Bologna 1982

Manfredo Tafuri, Francesco Dal Co, Architettura contemporanea, Electa, Milano 1994

 

Other publications from which content and ideas will be drawn during the course:

Bruno Zevi, Storia dell’architettura moderna, Einaudi, Torino 1950

Sigfried Giedion, Spazio tempo e architettura. Lo sviluppo di una nuova tradizione, Hoepli, Milano 1954

Eduardo Torroja, La concezione strutturale. Logica ed intuito nella ideazione delle forme, Unione tipografica - Editrice torinese, Torino 1966

Kenneth Frampton, Tettonica e architettura. Poetica della forma architettonica nel XIX e XX secolo, Skira, Milano 2005

Kenneth Frampton, The Other Modern Movement. Architecture, 1920-1970, Yale University Press, New Haven (CT) 2022

Further reading will be announced and/or made available at the end of each lesson.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures, primarily involving the projection of images. For each lecture, in addition to the recommended reading list, further reference materials (articles and books) will be suggested, some of which will be made available to students.

Students will be asked to complete a number of exercises, for which they will find detailed guidance on the ‘Virtuale’ platform from the start of the course.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral interview with questions on the syllabus covered and a discussion of the practical exercises carried out during the course, which contribute substantially to the final assessment. During the oral examination, consideration will be given to the student’s ability to express themselves using appropriate vocabulary, to refer to the recommended reading list or to texts read and suggested by the student during their preparation, as well as their ability to critically link the topics covered in the syllabus.

For students with specific learning difficulties (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it); it will be the office’s responsibility to propose any necessary adjustments to the students concerned; these must, however, be submitted for the lecturer’s approval 15 days in advance, and the lecturer will assess their appropriateness, taking into account the course’s learning objectives.

As regards the use of AI, this is not prohibited outright, but in the teaching staff’s view it does not constitute a necessary or useful aid for this course; therefore, its use is recommended only in a considered manner and limited exclusively to activities that support preparation (summarising, rephrasing) for the oral examination or practical exercises.

Teaching tools

All lecture notes in .pdf format, a selection of the recommended reading, and any other material deemed useful for exam preparation will be made available on the “virtuale.unibo” platform.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Bellucci