AR3701 Contemporary Architecture: Theories and Practice Syllabus:

AR3701 Contemporary Architecture: Theories and Practice Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021

OBJECTIVES

 To introduce the large scale changes from 1960s as context for new thought in architecture.
 To give exposure to the critiques of modern architecture.
 To study in detail the different post modern directions in architecture.
 To give an outline of architectural approaches across the world from late 20th century.
 To give an understanding of the trajectory of post independence architecture of India till the present.

UNIT I THE POSTMODERN WORLD- CRITIQUE AND THEORIES

The postmodern world and multiple world views- to include the realms of literature, economics, technology, culture, society, environment. Critique of modernist cities by Jane Jacobs. Theories and works of Christopher Alexander. Aldo Rossi’s ideas on the city. Neorationalism. Semiology. Writings of Venturi and Umberto Eco. Poststructuralism and Deconstruction.

UNIT II TECHNOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE

Urban ideas/works of Soleri, Archigram and Metabolism. High Tech architecture, works of Stirling, Rogers and Piano.

UNIT III POSTMODERNISM AND DECONSTRUCTIVISM

Postmodernism. Works of Venturi Scott Brown, Graves and Moore. Deconstructivism as new architectural movement. Ideas and works of Eisenmann, Hadid, Gehry, Libeskind, Tschumi.

UNIT IV CONTEXT AND MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Critical Regionalism as a category of architecture. Ideas and works of Fathy, Ando, Bawa, Barragan, Siza. Evolution of the architecture of Raje, Doshi, Correa, Raj Rewal. Philosophy and works of Nari Gandhi, Laurie Baker. Outline of contextual approaches in Indian architecture after the 60s.

UNIT V CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Nature of contemporary society. Architectural responses and movements today -parametric design and digital processes, sustainability, globalisation, phenomenology, complexity. Ideas and works of ZHA, contemporary Dutch architecture, Bjarke Engels and BIG, OMA and Rem Koolhaas, Steven Holl, Mcdonough, Yeong, Zumthor, Pallasma, Murcutt. Outline of contemporary architecture in the non Western world. Large scale changes in India from the 90s. Outline of post 1990s architecture of India.

OUTCOME

 An awareness of the spread and varied later directions of modern architecture across the world.
 An understanding of architectural production from the 1960s as driven by large scale changes across the world.
 Familiarity with contemporary forces and directions in architecture across the world.
 An understanding of post independence architecture in India contemporaneous with the rest of the world, along with its own particular influences.

TEXTBOOKS

1. Kenneth Frampton, ‘Modern Architecture: A Critical History’, Thames and Hudson, London, 2007.
2. William J. Curtis, ‘Modern Architecture since 1900’, Phaidon Press, 1996.
3. Diane Ghirardo , ‘Architecture after Modernism’, Thames and Hudson, London, 1996.
4. Elie G. Haddad, David Rifkind, ‘A Critical History of Contemporary Architecture: 1960-2010’, Routledge, 2016.
5. Bhatt and Scriver, ‘Contemporary Indian Architecture- After the Masters’, Grantha Corporation, 1999
6. Bahga et al, ‘Modern Architecture in India – Post Independence Perspective’, Galgotia, 1993
7. Miki Desai et. al., ‘Architecture and Independence’, Oxford University Press, 2000.
8. Harrry Francis Malgrave and David Goodman, ‘An Introduction to Architectural Theory 1968 to the Present’, Wiley Blackwell, 2011.
9. Rahul Mehrotra, ‘Architecture in India since 1990’, HatjeCantz, 2011.

REFERENCES

1. Jane Jacobs, ‘Deaths and Life of Great American Cities’, Modern Library, 2011.
2. Christopher Alexander, ‘ A Pattern Language’, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015.
3. Robert Venturi , ‘Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture’, 1977.
4. Kate Nesbitt, Ed, ‘Theorising a New Agenda for Architecture’, Princeton University Press, 1996.
5. Jagan Shah, ‘Contemporary Indian Architecture’, Lustre, 2008.
6. Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash, ‘A Global History of Architecture’, John Wiley and Sons, 2017.
7. ‘Architecture in India’, Exhibition Catalogue, ElectaMoniteur, 1985.
8. ‘Vistara- The Architecture of India’, Festival of India, 1986.
9. K.R.Sitalakshmi, ‘Architecture of Indian Modernity- The Case of Madras’, Palaniappa Brothers, 2015.
10. Bipin Chandra et al, ‘India After Independence’, Penguin, 2017.