cultural context: cwo1 + cw01

CC2A 2016/’17

INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE

In this module you will study some of the key concepts that underpin the vague intuitions that architects rely on when they engage in architectural design.

The module introduces the concepts through modes of teaching and learning that encourage and test:

1. The ability to think abstractly about architectural form.2. The awareness of architecture as a discipline with a history. 3. The awareness of architecture as a form of knowledge located in a history.

The module is taught in two parts, it has a rhythm of (3+1) + 4

The 3 stands for a group of 3 lectures and their associated coursework items. The lectures are about the technologies of representation in Modern architecture (by Modern is meant the historical period that begins in Europe in the 15th century with what is often called the Renaissance).

The first lecture is about perspective, the second is about formal models and the third is about elemental building.

The +1 stands for a transition lecture. The transit ion lecture is designed as an introduction to the second part of the module.

The transition lecture uses Homeric poetry and Modern archeology to present a spatial relationship that is axiomatic to the system of spatial principles that are the subject of the second part of the module.

The +4 stands for a group of 4 lectures and their associated coursework item. The lectures are about a system of 4 spatial principles. The 4 principles are derived from the spatial relationship demonstrated in the transition lecture of the first part of the module (see +1 above).

Using a simple timeline, stretching from 500BC to the present day, each of the 4 spatial principles is used as a ‘vehicle’ to map out a journey along that timeline.

Each journey is characterised by its own specific ‘stop-offs,’ or ‘building-visits.’

Timetable 2016/‘17Cultural Context 2A - Timetable - 2016/17

Date Time & Place Event

26/09 10:00, Hogg, Marylebone Introduction to the module, form groups

03/10 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 1/1 - Lumen & Lux, CW01, Q1

10/10 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 1/2 - Formal Models, CW01, Q2

17/10 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 1/3 - Four Elements, CW01, Q3

24/10 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 1/4 - Prehistoric House

31/10 faculty office no lecture - hand-in CW01

07/11 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 2/1 - Temple, CW02

14/11 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 2/2 - Atrium, CW02

21/11 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 2/3 - Stoa, CW02

28/11 09:30, C2.12, Large Lecture Theatre, New Cavendish 2/4 - Theatre, CW02

05/12 no lecture

12/12 no lecture

XMAS BREAK

09/01 faculty office hand-in CW02

Please note: the lectures start at 9.30 but you must swipe in between 9.00 and 9.25; otherwise the system will register you as non-attending.

Coursework

Corresponding to the two part structure of teaching and learning, there are two coursework items for this module:

CW01, which carries 40% of the total module mark & CW02, which carries 60% of the total module mark

Each coursework consists of one or more guided question(s). CW01 consists of three questions and CW02 of one question.

To answer the questions will require you to reflect upon the material given in the lectures, to conduct some research and to speculate a little around the material.

For coursework 01 there will be three guided questions.

The guided question(s) should be worked on continuously, on a weekly basis. Each one will be related to a specific lecture and specify a particular task.

For coursework 02 you choose just one question out of four, your answer will take the form of an essay.

At the end of each part of the lecture series time is allocated for you to work up your answers into a single document that will be submitted for assessment.













05/12 no lecture

12/12 no lecture

XMAS BREAK



Working-in Groups Forming Groups

In a moment we are going to divide the cohort into groups of four. The group arrangement is used in different ways for each of the two coursework.

For coursework 01 you will work in groups. After the lecture each week you will be given a question, you are expected to work out an answer to the question during that week. For coursework 01 each group will submit just one assessment item.

For coursework 02 the group structure is used to allocate a series of four essay questions evenly across the student community.

You are encouraged to discuss the essay questions within your group, but you will be expected to work on your essay as an individual and each person is to submit their own unique essay for assessment.

The hand- in date for the respect ive coursework documents is given on the timetable.

Each coursework item must be titled with the name of the person, or persons who worked on it and with their group number.













05/12 no lecture

12/12 no lecture

XMAS BREAK



Each GROUP is to consist of FOUR members of the student community enrolled upon and taking the module this year.

It is best if you and three other members - i.e., your friends &/or colleagues, agree to form a group amongst yourselves.

It is best if you form a group right now, after this presentation.

When you have done so could you please write down the names of the 4 group members on a piece of paper and bring it up to me.

For those of you who, for whatever reason, have not formed a group by the end of this session then I will form one for you. When I have I will let you know the details, either later on today or in the course of the week.

It is up to you to get in touch with your group and to organise how you are going to work together.

I will allocate each group a number, please make a note of your group number because it is very important. You must use it along with your name in any email correspondence you might have with me.

And when you hand-in your coursework you should include your name and your group number.

Some Recommended Reading:

Vitruvius, On Architecture (The Ten Books on Architecture )Alberti, On the Art of Building in Ten BooksLeonardo Benevelo, The Architecture of the Renaissance, Volume 1P.V. Aureli, The Possibility of an Absolute Architecture

cultural context: cwo1 + cw01

Design