Teresa Fankhänel, Anna-Maria Meister
Thu. 09:45-11:15 Uhr, Übung Do. 11:30-13:00
Geb. 20.40, Egon-Eiermann-Hörsaal (HS16)

Architecture is a societal practice: the creation of spaces for others. So why theory? The built environment is a discourse, with statements already standing, critiques being formulated - and like any discourse, it is in constant flux. Hence, whatever architects contribute is always already part of a longer negotiation, and that is why it is important to know what position to take, who one quotes (consciously or unconsciously), what one wants to question, what to stand up for. This includes critical engagement with technophilic rhetorics of efficiency, rationalization, precision, or function, as well as expanding circles of actors or considering the consequences of architectural action. The pressing questions of our discipline about intersectional sustainability beyond the technicist belief in progress or diversification as a real change of perspective are foregrounded. The questions that preoccupy us are therefore: who produces which architectures with what (social, political or aesthetic) intention? At whose expense are they produced? Who and what is included or excluded? What images of society are constructed by them? Different positions will be illuminated in order to ask better and better questions.

Anna-Maria Meister, Hannah Knoop, Tom Wilkinson
Tue. 17:30-19:00 Uhr

In the lecture series "Terms of Engagement" we will work toward key concepts of architectural theory and history. Each lecture will present, examine and scrutinise one term. By drawing on the knowledge of previous lectures, annotating and expanding it, over the years we will build up a dynamic network of terms that challenge us to engage.

Anna-Maria Meister, Hannah Knoop, Tom Wilkinson
Thu. 09:45-11:15 Uhr, Übung Do. 11:30-13:00
Geb. 20.40, Egon-Eiermann-Hörsaal (HS16)

Architecture is a societal practice: the creation of spaces for others. So why theory? The built environment is a discourse, with statements already standing, critiques being formulated - and like any discourse, it is in constant flux. Hence, whatever architects contribute is always already part of a longer negotiation, and that is why it is important to know what position to take, who one quotes (consciously or unconsciously), what one wants to question, what to stand up for. This includes critical engagement with technophilic rhetorics of efficiency, rationalization, precision, or function, as well as expanding circles of actors or considering the consequences of architectural action. The pressing questions of our discipline about intersectional sustainability beyond the technicist belief in progress or diversification as a real change of perspective are foregrounded. The questions that preoccupy us are therefore: who produces which architectures with what (social, political or aesthetic) intention? At whose expense are they produced? Who and what is included or excluded? What images of society are constructed by them? Different positions will be illuminated in order to ask better and better questions.

Anna-Maria Meister
Tue. 17:30-19:00 Uhr 
Geb. 20.40, Egon-Eiermann-Hörsaal (HS16)

In a series of thematic lectures, we will examine the production processes of spaces and the built environment. We take for granted that the production of space (and aesthetics) sets in motion and/or appropriates processes that produce effects (often elsewhere) that have been increasingly studied in architectural history and theory in recent years. We consider material processes of extraction and environmental impact as well as social processes such as participation and appropriation; processes of standardization and regulation as well as processes of programming and digitization. The notion of process is understood here as an analytical concept that understands architecture not as a produced end product, but as a long-term material, social, and aesthetic practice of many participants.

Bart Lootsma
Thu. 10:00-13:30 Uhr 
Geb. 20.40, Egon-Eiermann-Hörsaal (HS16)

In the Architectural Theory lecture series, students learn about the political, ideological, artistic, and philosophical contexts of architecture, urbanism, and landscape in the twentieth century. Based on this research, they write essays and manifestos proposing how to deal with these changes. Not only have these texts changed, but the research on which they are based has changed as well. We will therefore compare research and texts from the first half of the last century with more recent and contemporary research and theories.

  ↵

Nathalie Bredella

Lecture Series Architecture Theory Bachelor

The lecture series on architectural theory provides an overview of design strategies, spatial concepts and social images of the 20th and 21st centuries. The focus is on the twentieth century. The focus is on the cultural history of architecture and urban discourse as well as their interactions with political debates, technical conditions, economic developments, social practices, and aesthetic ideas of the respective time. Based on current issues, the course focuses on theoretical reflection and historical analysis of architectural thought collectives in the context of politics, art, science, and technology.

Georg Vrachliotis

The two-semester lecture series Architectural Theory I and II provides an overview of design strategies, spatial concepts, and social images of the 20th and 21st centuries. Century. The focus is on the cultural history of the discourse on architecture and the city and its interactions with the political debates, technical conditions, economic changes, social practices, and aesthetic ideas of the time. Based on current issues, the focus is on theoretical reflection and historical analysis of architectural thought collectives between politics, art, science and technology.