Final Paper for a class on modern architecture

 

Topic 1
Write a paper focused on the theory and architecture of an architect of your choice. Architects we have discussed in class may be selected, but you may not work on a building or text that we discussed extensively in class. Your paper should explore how an architect’s ideas intersect with and are manifested in his or her buildings. To fulfill the assignment, the student should do the following:

• Choose a critical text by an architect that lays out principles and theories of design. Your discussion should not just summarize their argument, but analyze it and critique it. Here are some questions you should ask yourself as you read the text. What does the text reveal about the architect’s beliefs about the role of architecture in society? How architectural form should be generated? What aspects of architectural practice does the text ignore? Can you think of ways to enhance the architect’s argument?

• Choose a building designed by your architect, and analyze it according to the principles and theories laid out in your chosen text. As you do so, think critically about whether there is a gap between theory and practice, i.e. whether the building adequately reflects the principles described in the text or whether the text is unable to articulate fully what is happening in the design, whether the building reinforces or reveals flaws in the architect’s theoretical position, etc.

Topic 2
Choose two buildings by the same architect that show significant change in his or her approach. This change could relate to the materials and their expression, structure, space, ornament, style, etc. It could be a change over time, a change due to client demands, a change due to context, or a change for some other reason. Describe this change, as well as any continuities shown between the two buildings, and put forth a valid hypothesis explaining why it occurs based on primary and secondary research. You may choose an architect whom we have discussed in class, but you may not choose works by that artist that we have discussed extensively in class.
All papers should have a strong introduction and conclusion, as well as a clearly articulated thesis statement. All papers should have standard margins, 12 point font, double-spaced with footnotes and bibliography page in Chicago Style format. The final paper must include a bibliography page with at least five non-internet sources beyond the text book. (Note: articles gathered from databases like JSTOR are considered non-internet for the purposes of this assignment). For those writing about a text by an architect, the text counts as one of your five sources. You must show that the sources were used with the inclusion of footnotes. In addition, the paper must include labeled images that are referenced in the text.

Important due dates:

Due: Tues. Jan. 31, preliminary outline that includes a preliminary thesis statement, the text you plan to use, and the building you plan to use. In addition, include a bibliography with two non-internet sources beyond your theoretical text. You do not have to have actually used these yet, but you should have collected them by the due date.

Due: Tues. March 7, the final paper.

Suggested sources for critical texts:

Conrad, Ulrich, ed. Programs and Manifestoes on 20th-Century Architecture. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1975.

Ockman, Joan, ed. Architecture Culture 1943-1968: A Documentary Anthology. New York: Rizolli, 1993.

Hays, K. Michael, ed. Architecture Theory since 1968. New York: Columbia Books of Architecture, 2000.

Mallgrave, Harry Francis and Christina Contandriopoulos. Architectural Theory Volume II: An Anthology from 1871-2005. New York: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.

Nesbitt, Kate, ed. Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture: An Anthology of Architectural Theory 1965-1995. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1996.

Places to find additional resources:
• Use the bibliography found in the textbook.
• Search databases for scholarly articles and articles from architecture journals, particularly the Avery Index, JSTOR, ArtSource, and ProjectMuse.
• For books and essay collections, it may be necessary to venture outside of the holdings of SCAD Atlanta. Georgia Tech has an excellent architecture library and Emory University is a particularly excellent research library that you can access after getting a card from the librarians at SCAD Atlanta. Books can also be ordered from Savannah and books and articles can be ordered through interlibrary loan. However, they should be ordered as early in the quarter as possible.
• For extra help with any aspect of the writing process, please contact the Writers’ Studio (Room 416, ACA Library, writeatl@scad.edu)