DU2326 Gottfried Semper, Adolf Loos and the Theory of "Dressing" in Architecture

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Jiří Kroupa, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jiří Kroupa, CSc.
Department of Art History – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Art History – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 18:00–19:40 K31
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Each architectural theory consists of three steps: (a) What is "architecture" in general, ie, independent of time, place and epoch; (b) It establishes concepts of architecture that are determined by a cultural, spiritual, historical and socio-historical situation; (c) Then it develops diverse strategies towards practiced architecture: utopian, affirmative, and critical.
The aim of this course is to introduce architect Gottfried Semper's "dressing theory" as an important basis for modern architectural theories of various kinds. One part of the lecture is dedicated to the analysis and interpretation of Semper´s, Wagner´s and Loos´ architectural works. Finally, we will notice the implications of this theory for today's architecture.
Learning outcomes
The student will be able to after completing the course
- to orientate himself in the theory of architecture by Gottfried Semper and Adolf Loos
- to reflect critically on the possibilities of these theories when applying them to a part of modern architecture;
- to understand resources for the emergence of modern architecture at the beginning of the 20th century.
Syllabus
  • 1. Gottfried Semper's way to theory.
  • 2. Uncovering the right kernel and stylistic concepts in historicism.
  • 3. Gottfried Semper: Style in technical and tectonic arts, 1861-1863.
  • 4. Stereotomy and „modus stereotomicus“.
  • 5. The principle of dressing.
  • 6. The Masking of the reality in arts - Transformation of materiál - Visual meaning.
  • 7. Adolf Loos in 1892 (Ornament and Crime).
  • 8. Two types of spaceby Adolf Loos.
  • 9. Dressing - Decorum – space for living.
  • 10. Raumplan, or "o dissolve the ground plan in space".
  • 11. Raumplan versus "classic".
  • 12. Principle of dressing in the architecture today.
Literature
  • KRUFT, Hanno-Walter. Geschichte der Architekturtheorie : von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart. Studienausg., 5. Aufl. München: Verlag C. H. Beck. 740 s. ISBN 340634903X. 2004. info
  • Gottfried Semper and the problem of historicism. Edited by Mari Hvattum. New York: Cambridge University Press. xiii, 274. ISBN 0521821630. 2004. info
  • Gottfried Semper 1803-1879 : Architektur und Wissenschaft. Edited by Gottfried Semper - Winfried Nerdinger - Werner Oechslin. München ;: Prestel. 519 s. ISBN 3791328859. 2003. info
  • MALLGRAVE, Harry Francis. Gottfried Semper : architect of the nineteenth century. [New Haven]: Yale University Press. viii, 443. ISBN 0300066244. 1996. info
  • LOYER, François. Paris nineteenth century : architecture and urbanism. Translated by Charles Lynn Clark. First American edition. New York: Abbeville Press Publishers. 478 stran. ISBN 0896598853. 1988. info
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods
Oral examination
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
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