Syllabus for Roster(s):
- 15Sp ARH 3704-001 (ARCH)
- 15Sp ARH 7704-001 (ARCH)
ARH 3704-7704 Syllabus
AR H 3704/7704 20th-21st Century American Architecture
Winter- Spring 2015 Architectural History, University of Virginia
Location and time: Campbell Hall 158 Mon-Wed, 9:00-10:15 AM, + discussion sections
Richard Guy Wilson
Email-rgw4h@virginia.edu
Office: Campbell 231
Office hours: Mon, Weds 10:30-11:30 and by appointment, if I am around, please stop by
TAs: Kat Schnurr ks8xh@virginia.edu, Leigh Hilton lh3an@virginia.edu
_______________________________________________________________
Description
A survey of American Architecture from approximately World War One to 2015 is the course’s time span. The course will stress the multi-dimensional nature of architecture in the United States over this 100 year period. Themes to be considered include the rise of modernism (in its several varieties), the continuity of traditional design, and alternatives such as Postmodernism, Decon, new wave modern, along with Levittown, and Disney. Attention will be paid to foreign influences, social and cultural issues, landscape and city planning, and the rise of the automobile and related developments in furniture, industrial design, and painting. Among the figures to be considered include Frank Lloyd Wright, Paul Cret, Bertram Goodhue, Mies, SOM, Robert Venturi, Frank Gehry, and others.
Prerequisites
Open to all students. Prior acquaintance with art/architectural history is beneficial but not necessary, I will try and lead you through the issues. Graduate students should sign up for ARH 7704.
Honor System: I trust every student in this course to fully comply with all of the provisions of the UVA honor system.
Intentions
This course is designed to bring an understanding to American architecture and related developments in cities, landscape, interiors, art, and culture in the period, 1914-2015. Elements will include developing skills to deal with visual data, the relationship of architecture to social and cultural issues and improvement of research and writing skills.
Methods
Lectures, discussions, readings, and a term paper. I may hold a few discussion sections for both undergraduates and graduates.
Handouts
For most classes I will have a one page handout that will contain the important names and also a selective bibliography of the subject. Please keep these handouts for study purposes and also if you are interested in doing a paper on the topic this will provide you with a beginning point for research.
Bibliography
The literature on the subjects for this course is huge. I do have a small bibliography for background materials that is posted on the COLLAB resources web site.
Evaluation (Requirements)
Attendance at lectures is mandatory. You must attend class. There will be a few discussion sections, two examinations: a mid-term (March 5) (25%) and a final (May 4th monday 1400-1700) (25%), and a paper (prospectus due March 23), final paper due April 20 (25%) (See term research paper). The exams will be composed of slides, short answer and longer essay questions. The final will cover the entire course. The final grade will be composed of the above and 25% for class attendance and discussion sections. Please talk to the TA or myself about the class, and the papers. I am fully responsible for all grades, and I will also read all the undergrad tests and papers and all graduate work.
Class Attendance
This class meets twice a week, Monday and Wednesday, from 9 to 10:15. Attendance at lectures is mandatory. There are no excused absences. I need to know who you are and do want to try and put names with faces! I will pass around a seating chart the second period, please try and take a seat you will occupy for the entire class.
Meeting I would like to meet each of you and ask that you come by to my office hours early in the term so I can meet you and also discuss your interests in architecture. If can’t make office hours, email or talk after class and can set up a time.
Class Etiquette
Please try and be on time; latecomers and those who leave early are disruptive to both the lecturer and the class. I realize that some people frequently become sleepy when the lights go out (as they must if we are to show images). I do not mind that in order to stay awake some of you might want to stand up and stretch, or stand in the aisle during lectures if that will help. I do allow computers, but ask that you not do your email, face book, etc during class. Also, please turn off your phones.
Films
I will try and schedule the showing of several films, in particular: The City, and My Father the Architect.
Lectures in A-School
I encourage you to attend some of the Architecture School lectures offered on Mondays at 6pm and other times. Especially attend Victoria Young’s talk January 26th on Marcel Breuer and his church designs of the 1950s and 60s. Victoria Young (Professor St. John’s College) is a UVA MAH and Ph. D. and has a book just out on Breuer that was originally her dissertation here. Also, February 16th Chryslante Briokos, who did her MAH here and now is a curator at the National Building Museum in DC, and has done many exhibits focusing on modernism will be giving a talk. Also please attend the Art History Dept. Lectures.
Materials Assigned for Purchase 3704 (All students)
Eco, Umberto, Travels in Hyperreality (HBJ paper, 1983)
Ghirardo, Diane, Architecture After Modernism (Thames & Hudson, paper, 1996)
Handlin, David, American Architecture (Thames & Hudson, paper, 2005)
Graduate students in AR H 7704 also purchase the Following.
Hitchcock and Johnson, International Style (Norton paper, 1932).
Reserve—all of the above will be on reserve in the Fiske Kimball Fine Arts Library. Also on reserve will be the following books:
Jordy, William, American Buildings and Their Architects: The Impact of European Modernism vol. 5. (Oxford paperback, 1974)
Mumford, Lewis, ed Roots of Contemporary American Architecture
Johnson and Wigley, Deconstructivist Architecture
Koolhaas, Rem, Delirious New York: a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan (1978)
Roth, Leland, ed., America Builds: Source Documents... (Harper paper, 1983)
Rowe, Colin Introduction" to Five Architects 1972/1975, 3-7
Wright, Frank Lloyd, “The Disappearing City,” 1932, in Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings,
vol. 3, pp.70-112
Collab I have placed on collab a variety of readings…some come from Roth America Builds: Source Documents and Mumford, Roots of Contemporary. I also have added many others such as articles from newspapers and magazines. Also images from lectures will be available.
ARH 3704/7704
Spring 2015
Class Schedule
I hope to follow this schedule but some adjustments might occur. Reading assignments are to be done before to the class. I may add a few readings.
1. Jan 12 M Introduction
Reading assn.: Handlin, chap. 6. (If you did not take ARH 3703/77703, then read Handlin, Chps. 3-5.) ,
Eco, Travels, 3-58. on collab
Cheek, Lawrence” American Architects in China” Jan 16, 2011. on collab
“How to Rebuild Arch.” New York Times, Dec 15, 2014 on collab
Optional: Huxtable, Ada Louise, “Sometimes We Do It Right,” New York Times, March 31,
1968, also in Huxtable, Will They Ever Finish Bruckner Boulevard? (1970), p114+ on collab
2. Jan 14 W Traditionalism continues: John Russell Pope, Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Bacon,
Reading: Kimball, Fiske, “Chapter XV The Present” in American
Architecture (Indianapolis and New York: Bobbs Merrill,1928) 203-228
Call Number: NA710 .A46 1989 on Collab
Jan 19 Martin Luther King day,
3. Jan 21 W America’s Image: The Colonial Revival
Reading: Rhodes, William, “The long and Unsuccesful Effort to Kill off the Colonial
Revival, in Wilson, Richard Guy, Shaun Eyring and Kenny Marrota, Re-Creating the American Past: Essays on the Colonial Revival (Charlottesville: UVA Press, 2006)13-26.
Optional Reading: Wilson, “Why Colonial Revival” on collab
4. Jan 26 M Arts & Crafts/Gothic Modernism: Bertram G. Goodhue
Reading: Ralph Adams Cram, “The Philosophy of the Gothic Restoration,”
Kimball, Fiske"Goodhue's Architecture: A Critical Estimate”
Architectural Record Vol. 62 december 1927, 537-540 on Collab
Cunningham, Harry F: "Goodhue, The First True Modern"
Journal of the AIA Vol. 15 July 1928, 246-248 on collab
Jan 26 Talk 6PM. Architectural Historian Victorian Young: “An Architectural Collaboration: Breuer and the Benedictines at Saint John¹s”
5. Jan 28 W Conservative Modernism/Stripped Classicism: Cret
Reading: Hamlin, Talbot “A contemporary American Style” Pencil
Points(Progressive Architecture) Vol. 19 February,1938 P 99-107 On Collab
Wilson, Richard “Modernized Classicism and Washington DC” from
American Public Architecture: European Roots and Native
Expressions Vol. 5 1989, p 271-303 On Collab
6. Feb 2 M Machine Age and Skyscrapers
Reading: Handlin, chap. 7;
Jordy, on ‘Rockefeller Center” on collab
“Chicago Tribune Building Competition, Program and Jury ..” on collab
7. Feb 4 W The Streamlined Moderne
Reading: “Chrysler Airflow” On Collab
“Design Loves a Depression” New York Times, Jan 4, 2009 on collab
8. Feb 9 M The International Style and American Individualism, the California Crew: Neutra and
Schindler
Reading: Jordy, chap. on PSFS, is listed as Jordy, “The American Acceptance of the International Style”;
Hitchcock, Johnson, Barr The International Style, pp. 11-39, is listed as Hitchcock Johnson, Barr Preface and Introduction;
RM Schindler, “Space Architecture,” 1934, published inLionel March and Judith
Shein RM Schindler composition and construction, 53-57
Optional reading: Wilson, “Schindler’s Metaphysics” from Michael Darling, Kurt G. F. Helfrich, … and Richard Guy Wilson The Architecture of R. M. Schindler (Abrams, MOCA Los Angeles, 2001),116-143.
Optional Reading Wilson, "International Style: The MOMA Exhibition", Progressive
Architecture, LXIII (February 1982), pp. 92-105
all on Collab
9. Feb 11 W The Depression and Large Constructions of the 1930s
Optional Reading: Wilson, “The Machine Age in the West: Hoover Dam” on Collab
10. Feb 16 M Two from Detroit, the Capitol: Eliel Saarinen & Albert Kahn
Reading: Life in the Ruins, 2013 collab
11. Feb 18 W Housing of the 1920s (Kits and Green Belt Towns)
Reading: Stein, Clarence, "Indications of the Form of the Future" in Clarence Stein, Towards
New Towns for America; and also article on Greenbelt on Collab
Also I will see about scheduling a showing of the movie, “the City” around this date
12. Feb 23 M Frank Lloyd Wright 1920s -1959 I
Reading: Frank Lloyd Wright, “The Disappearing City,” 1932, in
Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings, vol. 3, pp.70-112 on Collab
13. Feb 25 W Wright II
Reading: Jordy, chap. on Guggenheim on Collab
14. Mar 2 M The Organic--Goff and etc.
15. Mar 4 W Midterm --bring blue books
Spring Break
16. Mar 16 M The Giant: Mies van der Rohe
Reading: Jordy, Chap. on Mies; collab
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “Inaugural Address, 1938,” and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe,”Address to the Illinois Institute of Technology, 1950,” both in Philip Johnson, Mies van der Rohe 196-200, 203-204; on collab as Johnson, “Mies van der Rohe” All on Collab
17. Mar 18 W Triumph of American Modernism: Corporations, Government and Education
Reading : Lewis Mumford, “Monumentality, Symbolism and Style,”
Matthew Nowicki, "Origins and Trends in Modern Architecture" and “Function and Form;” Eero Saarinen, “the Trans World Airlines Terminal,” All on Collab
18. Mar 23 M Modern House I –Mass Production
Reading: Handlin, Chap. 8,
Term paper prospectus due March 23
19. Mar 25 W Modern House II-Case Study and Hollin Hills
Reading: Salant, Eames House
Charles Eames, “On Design” from Eames design : the office of Charles and Ray Eames,
1941-1978 ed by John and Marilyn Neuhart with Ray Eames.1989
All on collab
20. Mar 30 M Corporate Modernism and the Ballet Style I (SOM, Saarinen, Pei, Johnson, Stone etc)
Reading: Philip Johnson, “the Seven Crutches of Modern Architecture,” and “Letter to Jurgen Joedicke;” on Collab
Charles Jencks, “Post-Modern Architecture” (several parts all on collab)
21. Apr 1 W Louis Kahn
Will try and schedule “my Father the Architect” this week
Reading: Jordy, Chap. on Kahn;
Louis I. Kahn, “Order is…” Perspecta 3 (1955), 59. and “Discussion in Kahn’s Office,” 1961.
All on Collab
22. Apr 6 M The American Roadside.
Readings: J. F. Harbison, “The Automobile and the ‘Home of the
Future,’”; J. Ihlder, “The Automobile and Community Planning,” Annuals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 116 (Nov. 1924),58-60, 199-205; “The Federal Highway Act of 1958,” Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1958 Public Law 85-787, Statues at Large, 72 (1958) and Lewis Mumford, “The Highway and the City,” in his Highway and the City, 234-246. All on Collab
23. Apr 8 W Venturi and the rise of context
Reading: Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture 18-32; and, Learning from Las Vegas, 3-35 Collab
Brown, “At Home with—Neon” Collab
24. Apr 13 M the 1970s-80s- POMO versus New York Whites
Reading: Handlin, Chp. 9,
Ghirardo, “Introduction”
"Introduction" by Colin Rowe Five Architects 1972/1975, 3-7 on Collab
Robert A. M. Stern, “The Doubles of Post-Modernism,” Harvard Architectural Review vol. 1
(1980), 173-87 Collab
Jencks, Postmodernism part III, Collab
25. Apr 15 W DECON
Reading: Johnson and Wigley, Deconstructivist Architecture pp.10-20; Collab
Koolhaas, Rem. Delirious New York : a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan (1978), section appendix A Collab
Pogrebin, Wexner Center New York Times, Sept 18, 2005 Collab
Ghirardo, Chp. 1, 2, 3;
Term papers due April 220
26. Apr 20 M Life is but a Theme Park
Reading: Colman, “Mid-18th Century Modern;”
Ouroussoff “Last Exit to Los Angeles” and “Classicists Strike Back”
“Kentlands” Washington Post article
“Who Designs America” Wall Street Journal
Lewis Mumford, “The Disappearance of Pennsylvania Station;”
A. L. Huxtable, “The Art of Expediency” and “Rediscovering the Beaux-Arts,” Kicked a Building Lately (1975), 58-66;
Huxtable, “Setting the Record Straight”
All on Collab
27. Apr 22 W Frank Gehry and the New Wave
Reading: “Architecture in the Age of Gehry” Vanity Fair
Kennicott, “Gehry Complex Legacy
Forgey “Gehry”
Ouroussoff, “Reinventing American Cities”
Mckee, “To Restore or Reinvent”
Muschamp: Columbus Circle,
All on Collab
28. Apr 27 Today and Tomorrow
Reading: Ouroussoff, “on the Miss-Nouvel, Gutherie
Ouroussoff, “Star Architects”
Rybczynski, “When Buildings Try too Hard”
Kennicott “Eisenhour Memorial”
Lubove “Face Value” New York Times
“House Lust”
“Mega Mansions, Wall Street Journal
All on Collab
Final Examination: May 4 Friday (2-5 PM) Bring blue books
AR H 3704-7704 20th-21st Century American Architecture
Wilson Spring 2015
Term Research Paper
The term paper should be an interpretation of a building(s) that is related in some way to this course. Subjects could include houses, train stations, skyscrapers, government structures, monuments, or even additions to a building. In some cases and with prior approval you can add another building, such as two houses by an architect such as Frank Lloyd Wright, or consider a complex of buildings, such as Rockefeller Center. Or it can be a piece of furniture, or perhaps an interior of some note. You can do a project, such as a design for a house that was never built. Although it is not required, it is nice if can actually see what you are writing about and can examine it first hand. Hence, buildings in Virginia and nearby areas should be considered. If you are unsure about your topic, please check with me. Most important, you should choose something that you find interesting, and also, that is significant and demonstrates an important theme(s) in American architecture.
Procedure
1. A one-page description of your topic that includes a brief paragraph and three items of relevant bibliography are due on March 23, Monday.
2. Paper is due April 20, Monday. Late papers will be penalized.
3. Format:
a. Typed, double spaced, length 8-10 pages, plus endnotes, bibliography and illustrations. Students enrolled in ARH 7704 length is 10-14 pages, plus etc.
b. Follow the MLA or some other style manual as to endnotes format, and etc.
c. Illustrations will probably be necessary; xeroxs if clear are fine. DO NOT CUT OUT OF BOOKS OR MAGAZINES
4. Content: this paper unless otherwise approved should be on one building, or as explained above, furniture, an addition, or and interior. While the building need not be a major monument, just choosing some old house is not very impressive, unless you do something with it. Remember, this is to be interpretative, not just a recitation of facts.
5. Sources: you are expected to do adequate research which means looking at printed sources in journals, magazines and books. Internet sources are fine, but you must have at least 3 print sources for your paper. With the internet, make sure you check the creditability of the source.
6. Grading: papers will be graded according to the following criteria:
a. Brilliance of the choice and interpretation.
b. Adequacy of research as shown in paper, endnotes and bibliography.
c. Spelling, grammar, typing, and following above procedures.
The following was developed a few years ago to assist students in analyzing buildings; you are not expected to rigidly follow these guidelines, but they do indicate some of the information that might be included in your paper (Please note, you can’t do it all, be selective).
Basic Facts
--architect (or designer), location, date
--where does it stand in relation to the architect/designer's career
--this should include basic biographical facts about the architect
--what is its place in the history of American architecture/design
--what have the standard works said about the building and the architect
--how has this changed from one period to another
The Building as an object
--size, describe in terms of mass, height, etc.
--material, use of different materials to create texture/express structure
AR H 3704/7704 20th-21st Century American Architecture
Winter- Spring 2015 Architectural History, University of Virginia
Location and time: Campbell Hall 158 Mon-Wed, 9:00-10:15 AM, + discussion sections
Richard Guy Wilson
Email-rgw4h@virginia.edu
Office: Campbell 231
Office hours: Mon, Weds 10:30-11:30 and by appointment, if I am around, please stop by
TAs: Kat Schnurr ks8xh@virginia.edu, Leigh Hilton lh3an@virginia.edu
_______________________________________________________________
Description
A survey of American Architecture from approximately World War One to 2015 is the course’s time span. The course will stress the multi-dimensional nature of architecture in the United States over this 100 year period. Themes to be considered include the rise of modernism (in its several varieties), the continuity of traditional design, and alternatives such as Postmodernism, Decon, new wave modern, along with Levittown, and Disney. Attention will be paid to foreign influences, social and cultural issues, landscape and city planning, and the rise of the automobile and related developments in furniture, industrial design, and painting. Among the figures to be considered include Frank Lloyd Wright, Paul Cret, Bertram Goodhue, Mies, SOM, Robert Venturi, Frank Gehry, and others.
Prerequisites
Open to all students. Prior acquaintance with art/architectural history is beneficial but not necessary, I will try and lead you through the issues. Graduate students should sign up for ARH 7704.
Honor System: I trust every student in this course to fully comply with all of the provisions of the UVA honor system.
Intentions
This course is designed to bring an understanding to American architecture and related developments in cities, landscape, interiors, art, and culture in the period, 1914-2015. Elements will include developing skills to deal with visual data, the relationship of architecture to social and cultural issues and improvement of research and writing skills.
Methods
Lectures, discussions, readings, and a term paper. I may hold a few discussion sections for both undergraduates and graduates.
Handouts
For most classes I will have a one page handout that will contain the important names and also a selective bibliography of the subject. Please keep these handouts for study purposes and also if you are interested in doing a paper on the topic this will provide you with a beginning point for research.
Bibliography
The literature on the subjects for this course is huge. I do have a small bibliography for background materials that is posted on the COLLAB resources web site.
Evaluation (Requirements)
Attendance at lectures is mandatory. You must attend class. There will be a few discussion sections, two examinations: a mid-term (March 5) (25%) and a final (May 4th Friday 1400-1700) (25%), and a paper (prospectus due March 23), final paper due April 20 (25%) (See term research paper). The exams will be composed of slides, short answer and longer essay questions. The final will cover the entire course. The final grade will be composed of the above and 25% for class attendance and discussion sections. Please talk to the TA or myself about the class, and the papers. I am fully responsible for all grades, and I will also read all the undergrad tests and papers and all graduate work.
Class Attendance
This class meets twice a week, Monday and Wednesday, from 9 to 10:15. Attendance at lectures is mandatory. There are no excused absences. I need to know who you are and do want to try and put names with faces! I will pass around a seating chart the second period, please try and take a seat you will occupy for the entire class.
Meeting I would like to meet each of you and ask that you come by to my office hours early in the term so I can meet you and also discuss your interests in architecture. If can’t make office hours, email or talk after class and can set up a time.
Class Etiquette
Please try and be on time; latecomers and those who leave early are disruptive to both the lecturer and the class. I realize that some people frequently become sleepy when the lights go out (as they must if we are to show images). I do not mind that in order to stay awake some of you might want to stand up and stretch, or stand in the aisle during lectures if that will help. I do allow computers, but ask that you not do your email, face book, etc during class. Also, please turn off your phones.
Films
I will try and schedule the showing of several films, in particular: The City, and My Father the Architect.
Lectures in A-School
I encourage you to attend some of the Architecture School lectures offered on Mondays at 6pm and other times. Especially attend Victoria Young’s talk January 26th on Marcel Breuer and his church designs of the 1950s and 60s. Victoria Young (Professor St. John’s College) is a UVA MAH and Ph. D. and has a book just out on Breuer that was originally her dissertation here. Also, February 16th Chryslante Briokos, who did her MAH here and now is a curator at the National Building Museum in DC, and has done many exhibits focusing on modernism will be giving a talk. Also please attend the Art History Dept. Lectures.
Materials Assigned for Purchase 3704 (All students)
Eco, Umberto, Travels in Hyperreality (HBJ paper, 1983)
Ghirardo, Diane, Architecture After Modernism (Thames & Hudson, paper, 1996)
Handlin, David, American Architecture (Thames & Hudson, paper, 2005)
Graduate students in AR H 7704 also purchase the Following.
Hitchcock and Johnson, International Style (Norton paper, 1932).
Reserve—all of the above will be on reserve in the Fiske Kimball Fine Arts Library. Also on reserve will be the following books:
Jordy, William, American Buildings and Their Architects: The Impact of European Modernism vol. 5. (Oxford paperback, 1974)
Mumford, Lewis, ed Roots of Contemporary American Architecture
Johnson and Wigley, Deconstructivist Architecture
Koolhaas, Rem, Delirious New York: a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan (1978)
Roth, Leland, ed., America Builds: Source Documents... (Harper paper, 1983)
Rowe, Colin Introduction" to Five Architects 1972/1975, 3-7
Wright, Frank Lloyd, “The Disappearing City,” 1932, in Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings,
vol. 3, pp.70-112
Collab I have placed on collab a variety of readings…some come from Roth America Builds: Source Documents and Mumford, Roots of Contemporary. I also have added many others such as articles from newspapers and magazines. Also images from lectures will be available.
ARH 3704/7704
Spring 2015
Class Schedule
I hope to follow this schedule but some adjustments might occur. Reading assignments are to be done before to the class. I may add a few readings.
1. Jan 12 M Introduction
Reading assn.: Handlin, chap. 6. (If you did not take ARH 3703/77703, then read Handlin, Chps. 3-5.) ,
Eco, Travels, 3-58. on collab
Cheek, Lawrence” American Architects in China” Jan 16, 2011. on collab
“How to Rebuild Arch.” New York Times, Dec 15, 2014 on collab
Optional: Huxtable, Ada Louise, “Sometimes We Do It Right,” New York Times, March 31,
1968, also in Huxtable, Will They Ever Finish Bruckner Boulevard? (1970), p114+ on collab
2. Jan 14 W Traditionalism continues: John Russell Pope, Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Bacon,
Reading: Kimball, Fiske, “Chapter XV The Present” in American
Architecture (Indianapolis and New York: Bobbs Merrill,1928) 203-228
Call Number: NA710 .A46 1989 on Collab
Jan 19 Martin Luther King day,
3. Jan 21 W America’s Image: The Colonial Revival
Reading: Rhodes, William, “The long and Unsuccesful Effort to Kill off the Colonial
Revival, in Wilson, Richard Guy, Shaun Eyring and Kenny Marrota, Re-Creating the American Past: Essays on the Colonial Revival (Charlottesville: UVA Press, 2006)13-26.
Optional Reading: Wilson, “Why Colonial Revival” on collab
4. Jan 26 M Arts & Crafts/Gothic Modernism: Bertram G. Goodhue
Reading: Ralph Adams Cram, “The Philosophy of the Gothic Restoration,”
Kimball, Fiske"Goodhue's Architecture: A Critical Estimate”
Architectural Record Vol. 62 december 1927, 537-540 on Collab
Cunningham, Harry F: "Goodhue, The First True Modern"
Journal of the AIA Vol. 15 July 1928, 246-248 on collab
Jan 26 Talk 6PM. Architectural Historian Victorian Young: “An Architectural Collaboration: Breuer and the Benedictines at Saint John¹s”
5. Jan 28 W Conservative Modernism/Stripped Classicism: Cret
Reading: Hamlin, Talbot “A contemporary American Style” Pencil
Points(Progressive Architecture) Vol. 19 February,1938 P 99-107 On Collab
Wilson, Richard “Modernized Classicism and Washington DC” from
American Public Architecture: European Roots and Native
Expressions Vol. 5 1989, p 271-303 On Collab
6. Feb 2 M Machine Age and Skyscrapers
Reading: Handlin, chap. 7;
Jordy, on ‘Rockefeller Center” on collab
“Chicago Tribune Building Competition, Program and Jury ..” on collab
7. Feb 4 W The Streamlined Moderne
Reading: “Chrysler Airflow” On Collab
“Design Loves a Depression” New York Times, Jan 4, 2009 on collab
8. Feb 9 M The International Style and American Individualism, the California Crew: Neutra and
Schindler
Reading: Jordy, chap. on PSFS, is listed as Jordy, “The American Acceptance of the International Style”;
Hitchcock, Johnson, Barr The International Style, pp. 11-39, is listed as Hitchcock Johnson, Barr Preface and Introduction;
RM Schindler, “Space Architecture,” 1934, published inLionel March and Judith
Shein RM Schindler composition and construction, 53-57
Optional reading: Wilson, “Schindler’s Metaphysics” from Michael Darling, Kurt G. F. Helfrich, … and Richard Guy Wilson The Architecture of R. M. Schindler (Abrams, MOCA Los Angeles, 2001),116-143.
Optional Reading Wilson, "International Style: The MOMA Exhibition", Progressive
Architecture, LXIII (February 1982), pp. 92-105
all on Collab
9. Feb 11 W The Depression and Large Constructions of the 1930s
Optional Reading: Wilson, “The Machine Age in the West: Hoover Dam” on Collab
10. Feb 16 M Two from Detroit, the Capitol: Eliel Saarinen & Albert Kahn
Reading: Life in the Ruins, 2013 collab
11. Feb 18 W Housing of the 1920s (Kits and Green Belt Towns)
Reading: Stein, Clarence, "Indications of the Form of the Future" in Clarence Stein, Towards
New Towns for America; and also article on Greenbelt on Collab
Also I will see about scheduling a showing of the movie, “the City” around this date
12. Feb 23 M Frank Lloyd Wright 1920s -1959 I
Reading: Frank Lloyd Wright, “The Disappearing City,” 1932, in
Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings, vol. 3, pp.70-112 on Collab
13. Feb 25 W Wright II
Reading: Jordy, chap. on Guggenheim on Collab
14. Mar 2 M The Organic--Goff and etc.
15. Mar 4 W Midterm --bring blue books
Spring Break
16. Mar 16 M The Giant: Mies van der Rohe
Reading: Jordy, Chap. on Mies; collab
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “Inaugural Address, 1938,” and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe,”Address to the Illinois Institute of Technology, 1950,” both in Philip Johnson, Mies van der Rohe 196-200, 203-204; on collab as Johnson, “Mies van der Rohe” All on Collab
17. Mar 18 W Triumph of American Modernism: Corporations, Government and Education
Reading : Lewis Mumford, “Monumentality, Symbolism and Style,”
Matthew Nowicki, "Origins and Trends in Modern Architecture" and “Function and Form;” Eero Saarinen, “the Trans World Airlines Terminal,” All on Collab
18. Mar 23 M Modern House I –Mass Production
Reading: Handlin, Chap. 8,
Term paper prospectus due March 23
19. Mar 25 W Modern House II-Case Study and Hollin Hills
Reading: Salant, Eames House
Charles Eames, “On Design” from Eames design : the office of Charles and Ray Eames,
1941-1978 ed by John and Marilyn Neuhart with Ray Eames.1989
All on collab
20. Mar 30 M Corporate Modernism and the Ballet Style I (SOM, Saarinen, Pei, Johnson, Stone etc)
Reading: Philip Johnson, “the Seven Crutches of Modern Architecture,” and “Letter to Jurgen Joedicke;” on Collab
Charles Jencks, “Post-Modern Architecture” (several parts all on collab)
21. Apr 1 W Louis Kahn
Will try and schedule “my Father the Architect” this week
Reading: Jordy, Chap. on Kahn;
Louis I. Kahn, “Order is…” Perspecta 3 (1955), 59. and “Discussion in Kahn’s Office,” 1961.
All on Collab
22. Apr 6 M The American Roadside.
Readings: J. F. Harbison, “The Automobile and the ‘Home of the
Future,’”; J. Ihlder, “The Automobile and Community Planning,” Annuals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 116 (Nov. 1924),58-60, 199-205; “The Federal Highway Act of 1958,” Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1958 Public Law 85-787, Statues at Large, 72 (1958) and Lewis Mumford, “The Highway and the City,” in his Highway and the City, 234-246. All on Collab
23. Apr 8 W Venturi and the rise of context
Reading: Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture 18-32; and, Learning from Las Vegas, 3-35 Collab
Brown, “At Home with—Neon” Collab
24. Apr 13 M the 1970s-80s- POMO versus New York Whites
Reading: Handlin, Chp. 9,
Ghirardo, “Introduction”
"Introduction" by Colin Rowe Five Architects 1972/1975, 3-7 on Collab
Robert A. M. Stern, “The Doubles of Post-Modernism,” Harvard Architectural Review vol. 1
(1980), 173-87 Collab
Jencks, Postmodernism part III, Collab
25. Apr 15 W DECON
Reading: Johnson and Wigley, Deconstructivist Architecture pp.10-20; Collab
Koolhaas, Rem. Delirious New York : a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan (1978), section appendix A Collab
Pogrebin, Wexner Center New York Times, Sept 18, 2005 Collab
Ghirardo, Chp. 1, 2, 3;
Term papers due April 220
26. Apr 20 M Life is but a Theme Park
Reading: Colman, “Mid-18th Century Modern;”
Ouroussoff “Last Exit to Los Angeles” and “Classicists Strike Back”
“Kentlands” Washington Post article
“Who Designs America” Wall Street Journal
Lewis Mumford, “The Disappearance of Pennsylvania Station;”
A. L. Huxtable, “The Art of Expediency” and “Rediscovering the Beaux-Arts,” Kicked a Building Lately (1975), 58-66;
Huxtable, “Setting the Record Straight”
All on Collab
27. Apr 22 W Frank Gehry and the New Wave
Reading: “Architecture in the Age of Gehry” Vanity Fair
Kennicott, “Gehry Complex Legacy
Forgey “Gehry”
Ouroussoff, “Reinventing American Cities”
Mckee, “To Restore or Reinvent”
Muschamp: Columbus Circle,
All on Collab
28. Apr 27 Today and Tomorrow
Reading: Ouroussoff, “on the Miss-Nouvel, Gutherie
Ouroussoff, “Star Architects”
Rybczynski, “When Buildings Try too Hard”
Kennicott “Eisenhour Memorial”
Lubove “Face Value” New York Times
“House Lust”
“Mega Mansions, Wall Street Journal
All on Collab
Final Examination: May 4 Friday (2-5 PM) Bring blue books
AR H 3704-7704 20th-21st Century American Architecture
Wilson Spring 2015
Term Research Paper
The term paper should be an interpretation of a building(s) that is related in some way to this course. Subjects could include houses, train stations, skyscrapers, government structures, monuments, or even additions to a building. In some cases and with prior approval you can add another building, such as two houses by an architect such as Frank Lloyd Wright, or consider a complex of buildings, such as Rockefeller Center. Or it can be a piece of furniture, or perhaps an interior of some note. You can do a project, such as a design for a house that was never built. Although it is not required, it is nice if can actually see what you are writing about and can examine it first hand. Hence, buildings in Virginia and nearby areas should be considered. If you are unsure about your topic, please check with me. Most important, you should choose something that you find interesting, and also, that is significant and demonstrates an important theme(s) in American architecture.
Procedure
1. A one-page description of your topic that includes a brief paragraph and three items of relevant bibliography are due on March 23, Monday.
2. Paper is due April 20, Monday. Late papers will be penalized.
3. Format:
a. Typed, double spaced, length 8-10 pages, plus endnotes, bibliography and illustrations. Students enrolled in ARH 7704 length is 10-14 pages, plus etc.
b. Follow the MLA or some other style manual as to endnotes format, and etc.
c. Illustrations will probably be necessary; xeroxs if clear are fine. DO NOT CUT OUT OF BOOKS OR MAGAZINES
4. Content: this paper unless otherwise approved should be on one building, or as explained above, furniture, an addition, or and interior. While the building need not be a major monument, just choosing some old house is not very impressive, unless you do something with it. Remember, this is to be interpretative, not just a recitation of facts.
5. Sources: you are expected to do adequate research which means looking at printed sources in journals, magazines and books. Internet sources are fine, but you must have at least 3 print sources for your paper. With the internet, make sure you check the creditability of the source.
6. Grading: papers will be graded according to the following criteria:
a. Brilliance of the choice and interpretation.
b. Adequacy of research as shown in paper, endnotes and bibliography.
c. Spelling, grammar, typing, and following above procedures.
The following was developed a few years ago to assist students in analyzing buildings; you are not expected to rigidly follow these guidelines, but they do indicate some of the information that might be included in your paper (Please note, you can’t do it all, be selective).
Basic Facts
--architect (or designer), location, date
--where does it stand in relation to the architect/designer's career
--this should include basic biographical facts about the architect
--what is its place in the history of American architecture/design
--what have the standard works said about the building and the architect
--how has this changed from one period to another
The Building as an object
--size, describe in terms of mass, height, etc.
--material, use of different materials to create texture/express structure