AR3501 Architecture and Urbanism of Colonialism and Modernity Syllabus:

AR3501 Architecture and Urbanism of Colonialism and Modernity Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021

OBJECTIVES

 To introduce the condition of modernity and outline its impact on society, cities and architecture.
 To give a detailed understanding of modern architecture as new expression with different strands rising from various aspects and effects of modernity.
 To create an overall understanding of the architectural developments in India rising out of colonialism, modernity and nationalism.

UNIT I COLONIALISM, INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND MODERNITY

Voyages of trade, colonialism, political and economic strategies and socio-cultural intersections. Modernity as historical phenomenon and its various aspects and manifestations, encompassing social, cultural, technological, economic and political changes. Strands of modernity in architecture. Enlightenment ideals, Neo Classical architecture and its types. Outline of Industrial Revolution and associated changes. Urban transformations in Europe and America. Housing projects. New building types and spaces. Industrial material of steel, glass and concrete. New construction techniques and standardisation. Split of design education into architecture and engineering streams. Industrial exhibitions. Chicago School, skyscraper development and Louis Sullivan.

UNIT II REACTIONS TO INDUSTRIALISATION

Reactions to industrialisation in design. Arts and Crafts in Europe and America. Works of Morris and Webb. Art Nouveau. Works of Horta, Van De Velde, Gaudi, Guimard and Mackintosh. Vienna Secession.

UNIT III EVOLUTION OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE – IDEOLOGIES, MOVEMENTS
AND STYLES

Early modernism in Europe and America. Critique of ornamentation and Raumplan of Adolf Loos. Peter Behrens and Werkbund. Modern art and architecture – Expressionism, Futurism, Constructivism, Cubism, Suprematism and De–Stijl. Art Deco. Functionalism. Bauhaus. CIAM. International Style. Outline of works and architects associated with all the above. Ideas, works and evolution of Gropius, Corbusier, Aalto, Wright, Mies, Neutra.

UNIT IV ARCHITECTURE OF COLONIALISM, MODERNITY AND NATIONALISM IN
INDIA

Colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent and ambiguous modernity through colonialism. Colonial architecture and urbanism- forts, bungalows, cantonments, colonial urbanism, civic buildings, buildings of infrastructure, education, power, trade and other typologies. Characteristics and styles of colonial architecture based on chronology and changing intent/typology – Neo-Classicism, Gothic Revival and Indo-Saracenic. Influence of colonial modernity on Indians and their architecture. Building of New Delhi showcasing imperial power. Diverse directions and searches in early 20th century architecture of India. Art Deco and modern architecture in pre-independence India.

UNIT V MODERN ARCHITECTURE – SPREAD AND LATER DIRECTIONS

Brutalism. Team X. Ideas, works and evolution of Philip Johnson, Louis Kahn, Paul Rudolph, Eero Saarinen, SOM, Eames, I.M.Pei. Modern architecture and post independence India – national building, institutions and PWD architecture. Chandigarh and Corbusier’s other works in India. Outline of evolution of the architectural profession in India, influences on architects. Outline of modernist architecture of India. Works of Kanvinde, Habib Rehman, Raje, early works of B.V. Doshi, Charles Correa, Uttam C.Jain, Hasmukh Patel

OUTCOME

 An understanding of modernity as a fundamental transformation in Western society that spread across the world and the resultant architectural production.
 An insight into the development of various strands of modernism and modern architecture.
 An understanding of architecture of colonialism, nationalism and modernity in India.

TEXTBOOKS

1. Kenneth Frampton, ‘Modern Architecture: A Critical History’, Oxford University Press, 2016.
2. William J. Curtis, ‘Modern Architecture since 1900’, Phaidon Press, 1996.
3. Manfredo Tafuri, ‘Modern Architecture’, Rizzoli Publications,1991.
4. Leonardo Benevolo, ‘History of Modern Architecture Vol 1 and 2’, Reprint, MIT Press, 1977.
5. G. H. R. Tillotson, ‘The Tradition of Indian Architecture: Continuity, Change, and the Politics of Style since 1850’, Yale University Press, 1989.
6. Miki Desai et. al., ‘Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity- India 1880 to 1980’, Oxford University Press, 2000.

REFERENCES

1. Thomas Metcalf, ‘An Imperial Vision’, Oxford University Press, 2002.
2. Christian Norburg-Schulz., ‘Meaning in Western Architecture’, Rizzoli, Revised Edition, 1993.
3. Bill Risebero, ‘Modern Architecture and Design: An Alternative History’, MIT Press, 1985.
4. Norma Evenson, ‘The Indian Metropolis: A View Toward the West’, Yale University Press, 1989.
5. Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash, ‘A Global History of Architecture’, John Wiley and Sons, 2017.
6. K.R.Sitalakshmi, ‘Architecture of Indian Modernity- The Case of Madras’, Palaniappa Brothers, 2015.