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Lecture 1 - Introduction

This document provides a summary of the first lecture in the RAR 807 Theory of Architecture course. The lecture introduces key concepts related to architectural theory, including different types of theories, ontology vs epistemology, and discusses terms like "ism", "ity", and "isation". It then provides historical context for pre-modern architecture, outlining major socio-political changes in the late 19th century like the American and French Revolutions, decolonization, and the First Industrial Revolution, which influenced shifting popular opinions and led to new architectural movements.

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Tushar Shakya
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46 views

Lecture 1 - Introduction

This document provides a summary of the first lecture in the RAR 807 Theory of Architecture course. The lecture introduces key concepts related to architectural theory, including different types of theories, ontology vs epistemology, and discusses terms like "ism", "ity", and "isation". It then provides historical context for pre-modern architecture, outlining major socio-political changes in the late 19th century like the American and French Revolutions, decolonization, and the First Industrial Revolution, which influenced shifting popular opinions and led to new architectural movements.

Uploaded by

Tushar Shakya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RAR 807 – Theory of Architecture

…TO WHERE WE ARE NOW Module 1 – Pre-modern


Lecture 1 (21/03/2022)
Ar. Shriyak Singh
COURSE SUMMARY
• Understanding how the socio-cultural context
influences design and architecture.
• Understandingthe evolution of architecture with the
changes in popular aspirations and in production and
consumption processes.
• Establishinglinkages between pre-modern, modern,
and post-modern architectural philosophies by looking
at significant architects, their influences and works.
• Understandthe rise and death of architecture
movements. Their causes and effects.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the evolutionary
process of architecture so that new trends could be
speculated and understood.
LECTURE SUMMARY
• What is Theory? Understanding different types of theories which are most applicable for our
analysis of the development of architectural thought.
• Understanding “ism”, “ity”, and “isation”
• Affectsof socio-cultural changes, and public aspirations, during in the late 19th century which
lead to particular architectural movements and thought processes.
• What were the socio-political and cultural circumstances of the pre-modern era?
• Why did the popular opinion shift from a neo-classical outlook to one which led us to where
we are today?
WHAT IS THEORY?
From ancient Greek “theoria” meaning, “a looking at, viewing, beholding.”
…a proposed explanation of empirical phenomena, made in a way consistent with the scientific
method.
…a tested and testable concept which is used to explain an occurrence.
…a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to
explain phenomena; a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject; the
general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art. (Webster)

Falsifiability is important.
ONTOLOGY V/S EPISTEMOLOGY
ONTOLOGY – Study of “Reality“ OR Study of the “Nature of Reality”

EPISTEMOLOGY – Study of “Knowledge”

Ontology tries to find out what is there in the universe and Epistemology finds out ways to
know what exists in the universe.
Both are distinct fields of philosophy or metaphysics, but continue to inform each other.
ONTOLOGY V/S EPISTEMOLOGY
TYPES OF THEORY
POSITIVE THEORY NORMATIVE THEORY
• Descriptive • Prescriptive

• Describes the way the world is. • Prescribes the way the world ought to be.
• Proven
by the empirical and experimental • Value laden (Biased)
methods.
• Basedon individualistic ideologies,
• Makes assertions about reality. perceptions, perspectives, and world views.
• Often unbiased. • Subjective and can be debated upon.
• Aims to observe and explain. Subject to • Eg:
Socialism/Capitalism, Marxism, Good city
revisions. form, etc.
• Eg:Theory of Relativity, Gravitation, Image of
a city etc.
“It is important to understand the development of the normative positions of designers
during the course of history. This will tell us much about the professions and the society
of which they were and are a part.” (Lang, p.16)
ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
•A working set of rules that define a body of knowledge.
•“Within the discipline of architecture, theory is a discourse that describes the practice and
production of architecture and identifies challenges to it.” (Nesbitt p. 16)
•…the set of principles that guide the architect in making decisions about the complex
problems that arise in translating a brief into the design of a building. (Lang, p. 16)
•The architectural theory tradition encompasses critical commentary on or explanations of
architectural works or styles or movements; instructions or guidelines for architectural design;
musings on the origins of building types or styles; and advocacy for new approaches to the
architectural discipline and practice. (Fisher, 2015)
NORMATIVE THEORY IN ARCHITECTURE
Most architectural theories are value lades, biased, and subjective, hence normative.
Advocacies of different designers or schools of thought.
POSITIVE THEORY IN ARCHITECTURE
… bodies of knowledge should consist of logically related, complete, internally
consistent, and externally valid definitions and explanations.
Positive theory, research, and practice should be linked in a continuous way. The built
environment in hence a test of a set of hypotheses.
POSITIVE THEORY IN ARCHITECTURE
Criticism of recent architecture – Buildings, urban and landscape design consider the
image of the user, their needs, and their values as held by designers differs from the
realities. (Michelson, 1968).
Remedy- A strong and explicit positive theoretical basis for design.

Substantive Theory – The nature of the phenomenon architects and designers need
to deal with. Concerns itself with the physical environment, as well as the person (user)
which exists in the said environment.

Procedural Theory – Is concerned with the nature of praxis in architecture.


“ISM” V/S ”ITY” V/S “ISATION”

…ISM - (a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or


school) doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought. Modernism

...ITY – a state, condition, or quality of being. Modernity

…ISATION – a process. Modernisation


19 TH CENTURY WEST
The Age of Revolution: Europe
1789-1848; Eric Hobsbawm, 1962
The period is noted for the change
from absolutist monarchies to
representative governments with a
written constitution, and the creation
of nation states.
American Revolution – 1783
French Revolution – 1789
De-colonization of the Americas due
to Napoleonic Wars and weakening
European powers – 1810 - 1820 Liberty Leading the People. Eugene Delacroix, 1830
19 TH CENTURY WEST
First Industrial Revolution
1760 – 1890

Mechanization of the production


processes.
Increased production output of
factories.
Overpopulated city centers with
working class population.
Jacob A. Riis – photojournalist who exposed the deplorable
living conditions of the working class in1890s New York.
Famous satirical cartoons on unlivable conditions in London. Pollution, congestion, and disease were
rampant. Public sewage was introduced in London in 1858.

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