Introduction to the History of Contemporary Architecture
Introduction to the History of Contemporary Architecture
This course is an introduction to the study of Contemporary Architecture, from twentieth-century masterpieces to the finest modern-day examples.
Course description
The course is divided into three weeks, each of which examines a specific topic in depth: the first week focuses on twentieth-century masterpieces, the second retraces the careers of two masters of Italian architectural culture, and the third visits some recent works by contemporary masters.
Each week is divided into short lectures and, at the end of each week, the knowledge acquired will be tested in a quiz.
The videos in this course are delivered in Italian, with English and Italian subtitles available.
Total workload of the course: 6 hours
This MOOC is provided by Politecnico di Milano.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By actively participating in this MOOC, you will be able to:
Analyze the fundamental characteristics of masterpieces of twentieth-century architecture, studying the works of great masters such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Examine the contribution of two key figures in Italian architecture, Franco Albini and Luigi Moretti, by exploring their theories, the relationship between modernity and tradition, and the role of architecture in the city.
Explore the trends and languages of contemporary architecture through the analysis of recent works by international architects such as Gilles Perraudin, Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield and SANAA.
Acquire a method of critical reading of architectural works, evaluating their historical context, spatial and constructive solutions and their impact on daily life.
Recognize the value of architecture as a discipline that combines art and technique, recognizing the value of architectural design in defining spaces inhabited by humans
In broad terms, the participant will develope the learning outcomes in the areas of: ESCO: architecture and construction not further defined; ESCO: historic architecture
Prerequisites
No formal knowledge is required.
Activities
Over and above consulting the content, in the form of videos and other web-based resources, you will have the opportunity to discuss course topics and to share ideas with your peers in the Forum of this MOOC. The forum of this MOOC is freely accessible and participation is not guided; you can use it to compare yourself with other participants, or to discuss course contents with them.
Assessment
Your final grade for the course will be based on the results of your answers to the assessed quizzes. You have an unlimited number of attempts at each quiz, but you must wait 15 minutes before you can try again. You will have successfully completed the course if you score 60% (or higher) in each one of the assessed quizzes. The maximum score possible for each quiz is given at the beginning of the quiz. You can view your score in the quiz on your last attempt or on the 'Grades' page.
Certificate
You can achieve a certificate in the form of an Open Badge for this course, if you reach at least 60% of the total score in each one of the assessed quizzes and fill in the final survey.
Once you have completed the required tasks, you will be able to access ‘Get the Open Badge’ and start issuing the badge. Instructions on how to access the badge will be sent to your e-mail address.
The Badge does not confer any academic credit, grade or degree.
Information about fees and access to materials
You can access the course absolutely free of charge and completely online.
Course faculty
Federico Bucci
Teacher
He was Full Professor of History of Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, Rector’s Delegate for Cultural Policy, Vice-Rector of Mantova Campus and UNESCO Chair’s Architectural Preservation and Planning in World Heritage Cities Chairholder.
He was President of the Italian Association of the Architectural Historians.
He has been Visiting Professor at Texas A&M University, at the Architecture Institute of Moscow, at Universidad de Los Andes (Venezuela), at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, at Universidad CEU-San Pablo in Madrid, at University of Southern California in Los Angeles, at Polytechnic in Athens, at ETSAB in Barcelona, at Tongji University in Shanghai and at the University of Adelaide.
He has been member of American Society of Architectural Historians and Visiting Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Architecture di Montreal.
He curated exhibitions about contemporary architecture such as ZERO GRAVITY and SENZA PERICOLO at Triennale in Milano.
He collaborated with the magazines “Domus”, “Rassegna”, “L’architettura. Cronache e storia” and is currently member of the editorial staff of “Casabella”.
Selected bibliography:
Architect of Ford (New York 1994); Luigi Moretti. Works and Writings (New York 2002); Periferie e nuove urbanità (Milano 2003); Magic City (Roma 2005); I Musei e gli allestimenti di Franco Albini (Milano 2005 e 2016); Il design e gli interni di Franco Albini (Milano 2007 e 2016); Il metodo Kahn (Milano 2017).
Contact details
If you have any enquiries about the course or if you need technical assistance please contact pok@polimi.it. For further information, see FAQ page.