LEC 1

JAV151: History of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Art I Lecture Details

Lecture Information

  • Course Title: JAV151 History of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Art I

  • Instructors: Hans Ibelings, Carlos Ferrand

  • Course Duration: 1850 - 2025

  • First Lecture: Villa El Salvador, Lima, 1971

Instructor Background

  • Hans Ibelings:

    • Occupation: Architectural historian.

    • Career Timeline:

    • 2004-2012: Editor and publisher of A10 New European Architecture (in collaboration with Arjan Groot).

    • 2012-present: Editor and publisher of the Architecture Observer.

    • 2022-present: Editor and publisher of Maas Lawrence (in collaboration with Nanne de Ru).

    • 2025-2026: Curator of Anozero ’26 Biennale Coimbra (with John Zeppetelli and Daniel Madeira).

Course Structure

  • Fall 2025 Schedule:

    • JAV151: 1850-2025 Chronology

    • Winter 2026: JAV152 History of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Art II 1400-2025 Cities

Course Format

  • Components:

    • 11 lectures with corresponding readings.

    • 12 tutorials.

    • 2 assignments.

    • Midterm exam (in person).

    • Final written exam (in person).

Lecture and Assignment Breakdown

Lecture Schedule:

  1. Introduction

  2. 1851-1889: Crystal Palace to Eiffel Tower.

  3. 1884-1914: Berlin Conference to First World War.

  4. 1907-1937: Avantgardes.

  5. 1925-1950: Art Deco.

  6. 1922-1975: European dictatorships, art, and architecture.

  7. Mid-term exam.

  8. 1945-1970: Postwar/Postcolonial modernism.

  9. 1968-1989: Postmodernism.

  10. 1989-2008: Art and architecture after the Cold War.

  11. 2000-2020: Art and architecture in the Anthropocene.

  12. Present/Future.

Tutorial Sessions:

  • TUT01: 12-1 BA 2165

  • TUT02: 12-1 BA 2139

  • TUT03: 12-1 BA B025

  • TUT04: 12-1 BA B026

  • TUT05: 12-1 ES 4000

  • TUT06: 12-1 BA 2175

  • TUT07: 1-2 ES 4000

  • TUT08: 1-2 BA 2139

  • TUT09: 1-2 ES 4001

  • TUT10: 1-2 BA B025

  • TUT11: 1-2 BA B026

  • TUT13: 2-3 BA B026

  • TUT15: 2-3 ES 4000

  • TUT16: 2-3 BA 2139

Reading Plans and Academic Integrity

  • Reading Plans Include:

    • How to avoid plagiarism.

    • Footnote guidelines based on the Chicago Manual of Style.

  • University Policies:

    • Academic integrity is critical; students caught in academic dishonesty face serious consequences.

    • Plagiarism defined as presenting another's work or ideas as one's own, even accidentally.

Assignments

  • Assignment 1: 750 words with or without illustrations. Topics:

    • Personal expectations from a history course.

    • Importance and interest in the history of architecture, urbanism, and landscape.

Grading Scale

  • The grading system uses percentage grading defining various letter grades:

    • A+: 90-100 (4.0)

    • A: 85-89 (4.0)

    • A-: 80-84 (3.7)

    • B+: 77-79 (3.3)

    • B: 73-76 (3.0)

    • B-: 70-72 (2.7)

    • C+: 67-69 (2.3)

    • C: 63-66 (2.0)

    • C-: 60-62 (1.7)

    • D+: 57-59 (1.3)

    • D: 53-56 (1.0)

    • D-: 50-52 (0.7)

    • F: 0-49 (0.0)

Cultural Context and Theoretical Approaches to Architecture and Art

Perspectives and Historical Contexts

  • Throughout the course, various historical approaches will be considered:

    1. Conventional History: Focuses prominently on Western architecture and the masterworks therein.

    2. Global Perspectives: Considers colonial and postcolonial narratives, inclusive of various cultural viewpoints.

    3. Environmental Perspectives: Discuss the role of architecture in relation to climate change and ecological sustainability.

    4. Horizontality: Avoiding hierarchies and exploring cooperative relationships within architecture and art.

Important Theories and Concepts

  • Architecture as a Creative Act:

    • Not solely created by architects but shaped by the interactions with users and environments.

  • Art Worlds:

    • Defined by Howard S. Becker, indicating that art is produced by collaborative efforts among diverse individuals and organizations.

  • The Role of History in Art and Architecture:

    • Sigfried Giedion’s viewpoint emphasizes that studying the present is deeply intertwined with understanding past events.

Notable Historical Figures in Architecture

  • Morris Lapidus:

    • Known for designing iconic hotels in Miami Beach, such as the Eden Roc and Fontainebleau.

    • Emphasized the cultural dimensions of architecture through his designs.

Key Architectural Works and Movements

  • Crystal Palace (Joseph Paxton, 1851): Icon of modern architecture and a showcase of technological advancements.

  • Fagus Shoe Factory (Walter Gropius, 1911-1913): An early example of modernism, showing transparent spatial organization.

  • Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam: Emblematic of functionalism incorporating modernist architectural ideals.

Final Notes

The Importance of Historical Context in Current Practices

  • Recognizing the value of historical narratives in understanding the evolution of architecture, landscape, and urbanism significantly informs contemporary practices.