ARTH 339 – Contemporary Architecture [& Design]

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 02:35 PM - 03:55 PM, Arts West 215

Course lecturer: Dr. Evgeniya Makarova
TA: Will Schumer

The Blazing Wing — Coop Himmelb(l)au, 1980.

Course description:
This course provides an introduction to the history of contemporary architecture and
design to undergraduate students with little to no prior knowledge of the field’s
theories and methods.
We will first look at the wave of movements, schools, and ideas in architecture that came
in the wake of the social changes and the technological advances associated with
modernity. We will then turn our attention to some of the major trends that proliferated
in dialogue with, and often in opposition to the Modern Movement, including
Postmodernism, Regionalism, Deconstruction, and Eco-Architecture.
Geographically, the course focuses on Europe and North America, but also attends to
examples outside the “Western world”. Other than buildings, it examines practical objects
and elements of décor designed by architects for private and public spaces.
Learning outcomes:
- Students who successfully complete this course will develop an understanding of modern
and contemporary architecture and design through the analysis of form, space,
function, and context.
- They will be able to read architectural drawings (plans, elevations, sections) and use
them in their analysis of buildings;
- describe, using appropriate formal and technical vocabulary, the defining
characteristics of modern and contemporary buildings;
- consider buildings in their socio-cultural, technical, political, and economic
contexts;
- reflect on the frequent and fruitful relationship between architecture and different
types of design.

Assessment:
- Attendance and participation (10%) – Attendance of weekly lectures is mandatory. You
are expected to bring detailed notes on assigned weekly readings and contribute to
class discussions regularly and respectfully. You are also invited to post discussion
prompts on MyCourses and/or respond to discussion prompts posted by other students.
- Midterm exam (30%, October 14, 2022) – This is an in-class, closed books examination
that consists of 5-10 short-answer questions (e.g., definitions of terms,
identifications of buildings, etc.) and one essay question. For details, consult the
“Midterm Handout” on MyCourses.
- Formal analysis of a building (20%, due November 10, 2022) - Choose a building
designed between 1960 and today, observe it from different angles, and then describe
its main decorative and structural features, as well as its material and spatial
properties. To be submitted via My Courses. For details, consult the “Formal Analysis
Handout” on MyCourses.
- Final exam (40%, December 1, 2022) – This is a cumulative, open books, in class
examination that consists of one comparative formal analysis question and one more
general essay question. You can bring in any printed materials you like (notes,
handouts, readings, etc.) but not electronic devices (laptops, smartphones, etc.). For
details, consult the “Final Exam Handout” on MyCourses.

- Bonus assignment (5%) – This assignment is optional. You can submit it at any point
during the semester, but no later than November 29, 2022. In “How to be an
Architecture Critic” (assigned reading) Alexandra Lange lists four approaches to
architectural critique. Find a recent publication (2012-today) which represents each
one of these four approaches. For details, consult the “Bonus Assignment Handout” on
MyCourses.

Logistics and Policies:

- All weekly readings, PowerPoint slides, and handouts will be posted on MyCourses.
- Relevant reference books will be placed on course reserves at the library (see the
“Resources” section at the end of the syllabus.)
- The liaison librarian for the department is David Greene: david.greene@mcgill.ca

- In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this

course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be
graded.
- McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand
the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under
the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see
www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/ for more information).
- Students must complete all coursework in order to pass the class.
- A student who is unable to submit an assignment due to illness must provide a medical
note within 48 hours of the assignment due date.
- More than one test / quiz / assignment scheduled on the same day does not constitute a
conflict.
- Students are responsible for all course material covered in class whether they are in
attendance or not. Should you miss a class, you must acquire notes from another
student.
- For a full description of student rights and responsibilities, refer to
https://www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/
- For university policies and regulations, refer to
https://www.mcgill.ca/secretariat/policies-and-regulationsMcGill

DISCLAIMER: THIS SYLLABUS (AND NOTABLY THE REQUIRED READINGS LIST) IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION, BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE CLASS, THE EPIDEMIOLIGICAL
CONDITIONS, AND NEW RESEARCH THAT COMES OUT ON TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS COURSE. ANY
CHANGES WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO STUDENTS VIA MYCOURSES ANNOUNCEMENTS AND IN CLASS WITH
FAIR PRIOR NOTICE. IT IS STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS.
Class schedule and weekly readings
Thursday, September 1 – Introductions and course logistics. Why architecture matters?
Modern, Modernist and contemporary architecture.
No assigned readings.

Tuesday, September 6 – How to talk / write about buildings: function, form, space,
context; plan, section, elevation.
Alexandra Lange. “Introduction: How to be an Architecture Critic,” In Writing about
Architecture: Mastering the Language of Buildings and Cities, Princeton
Architectural Press, 2012, pp. 1-14.
Thursday, September 8 – Proto-Modernism. Art Nouveau, Modernisme, Vianna Secession.
“Ornament and crime.”

William J. R. Curtis. “The Search for New Forms and the Problem of Ornament,” In
Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press, 1996, pp. 53-
71.
Tuesday, September 13 – German Modernism: From Expressionism to Bauhaus. Modern
architecture and industry. Teaching modern architecture: art, craft or technique?
William J. R. Curtis. “Walter Gropius, German Expressionism and the Bauhaus,” In
Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press, 1996, pp.
183-199.
Thursday, September 15 – Dutch Modernism (De Stejl), Soviet Constructivism, Italian
Futurism. The relationship between painting and architecture.
Kenneth Frampton. “Part II, Chapter 17 – De Stijl: The Evolution and Dissolution of
Neo-Plasticism 1917-31,” “Part II, Chapter 21 – The New Collectivity: Art and
Architecture in the Soviet Union 1918-32,” In Modern Architecture: A Critical
History, 5th ed. New York, Thames & Hudson, 2020, pp. 156-162, 192-203.
Tuesday, September 20 – American skyscraper architecture. From Art Deco to Corporate
Modernism.
William J. R. Curtis. “Skyscraper and Suburb: the U.S.A between the Wars,” In
Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press, 1996, pp.
217-239.
Thursday, September 22 – Le Corbusier Part I: “A house is a machine for living in.” Five
Points of a New Architecture.

William J. R. Curtis. “The Image and the Idea of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye at
Poissy,” In Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press,
1996, pp. 275-285.

Tuesday, September 27 – Modernism and classicism. A call to order and “totalitarian”

architecture(s): Soviet Union under Stalin, National Socialist Germany, Fascist Italy.
William J. R. Curtis. “Totalitarian Critiques of the Modern Movement,” In Modern
Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press, 1996, pp. 351-369.
Thursday, September 29 – ‘Non-Western’ influences. International, national, regional:
Modernism[s] in Brazil, Egypt, and India.
 William J. R. Curtis. “International, National, Regional: The Diversity of a New
Tradition,” In Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon
Press, 1996, pp. 371-391.
Tuesday, October 4 – Le Corbusier Part II. Mass Housing. The crisis of Modernism and the
last CIAM Meeting. [New] Brutalism and Metabolism.
William J. R. Curtis. “Architecture and Anti-Architecture in Britain,” In Modern
Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press, 1996, pp. 529-546.
Thursday, October 6 – Midterm review and TA-led discussion session.
Revise previous readings and come prepared with discussion questions.
Friday [Tuesday schedule], October 14 – Midterm
Tuesday, October 18 – Expressive Structuralism. High Tech. Domes, shells, tents.

Sarah Deyong. “High-Tech: Modernism Redux,” In A Critical History of Contemporary

Architecture - 1960-2010, Elie G. Haddad and David Rifkind eds., Farnham: Ashgate,
2014, pp. 51-68.
Thursday, October 20 – Postmodernism Part I
Szacka, Léa‐Catherine. “Historicism versus communication: The basic debate of the
1980 Biennale.” Architectural Design 81, no. 5 (2011), pp. 98-105.

Tuesday, October 25 – Postmodernism Part II. Neo-Rationalism. Anti-Industrialism and New

Urbanism.
David Rifkind. “Post-Modernism: Critique and Reaction,” In A Critical History of
Contemporary Architecture - 1960-2010, Elie G. Haddad and David Rifkind eds.,
Farnham: Ashgate, 2014, pp. 31-50.
Thursday, October 27 – Derridean ‘deconstruction’ and the architecture of
Deconstructivism. Processing ‘difficult’ architectural heritage.

Elie G. Haddad. “Deconstruction: The Project of Radical Self-Criticism,” In A

Critical History of Contemporary Architecture - 1960-2010, Elie G. Haddad and David
Rifkind eds., Farnham: Ashgate, 2014, pp. 69-89.
Tuesday, November 1 – ‘Context’ and ‘Materiality’ Part I. Architectural Phenomenology.
Juhani Pallasmaa. "An Architecture of the Seven Senses," In Steven Holl, Juhani
Pallasmaa, and Alberto Pérez-Gómez, Questions of Perception: phenomenology of
architecture, San Francisco: William Stout, 2006, pp. 27–37.
Thursday, November 3 – ‘Context’ and ‘Materiality’ Part II. Critical Regionalism.

William J. R. Curtis. “The Universal and the Local: Landscape, Climate and
Culture,” In Modern Architecture Since 1900, Third edition, London: Phaidon Press,
1996, pp. 635-655.
Tuesday, November 8 – Sustainable architecture. Economic crisis and ecological concern.
Bio-Morphism.
Phillip Tabb. “Greening Architecture: The Impact of Sustainability,” In A Critical
History of Contemporary Architecture - 1960-2010, Elie G. Haddad and David Rifkind
eds., Farnham: Ashgate, 2014, pp. 91-114.
Thursday, November 10 – Guest lecture. Nicolas Holt – “Invisible Architectures, Unseen
Energies” + Formal Analysis due.
Juan Downey. “Invisible Architecture,” On Site: Not Seen And/Or Less Seen Of, no. 4
(1973); reprinted in Juan Downey, 1940-1993, eds. Julieta González and Javier
Rivero Ramos, Mexico City: Ediciones MP, 2019, pp. 331-32.
Juan Downey. “Architecture, Video, Telepathy: A Communications Utopia,” originally
published in Journal of the Center for Advanced TV Studies 5, no. 1 (1977),
reprinted in Juan Downey, 1940-1993, eds. Julieta González and Javier Rivero Ramos,
Mexico City: Ediciones MP, 2019, pp. 341-44.
Tuesday, November 15 – Computer-aided architectural design. Parametricism and Neo-
Futurism.

Patrik Schumacher. “Design Parameters to Parametric Design,” In The Routledge

Companion for Architecture Design and Practice, Mitra Kanaani, Dak Kopec eds., New
York: Routledge, 2015, pp. 3-20.
Thursday, November 22 – Contemporary architecture in China and Japan.
Ken Tadashi Oshima. “Architecture in Post-World War II Japan,” In A Critical
History of Contemporary Architecture - 1960-2010, Elie G. Haddad and David Rifkind
eds., Farnham: Ashgate, 2014, pp. 419-436.
Tuesday, November 24 – Architecture and contemporary art.
COOP. HIMMELB(L)AU. Architecture. Must. Blaze. 1980, Online:
https://designmanifestos.org/coop-himmelblau-architecture-must-blaze/
Video: Donald Judd's Marfa, Texas. Films Media Group, 2011.
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/863948220

Thursday, November 29 – Final Exam review and TA-led discussion session + Bonus
Assignment due.
Revise previous readings and come prepared with discussion questions.
Tuesday, December 1 – Final Exam
Resources:
Illustrated dictionaries of architecture:

Hopkins, Owen. Reading Architecture: A Visual Lexicon. London: Laurence King, 2012.
Online: https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/866622272 [Thematic: building types,
structures, architectural elements]

Hopkins, Owen. Architectural Styles: A Visual Guide. London: Laurence King

Publishing, Limited, 2014. Online: https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/896852433
[Thematic: styles, movements, schools]
Curl, James Stevens, and Susan Wilson. The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture. Third
edition revised. New York: Oxford University Press, 2021. Online:
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1243162045 [Alphabetical]
Harris, Cyril M. Dictionary of Architecture & Construction. 4th ed. Mcgraw Hill
Professional. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Online:
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/550477891 [Alphabetical]
Board of International Research in Design. Design Dictionary: Perspectives on
Design Terminology. Edited by Michael Erlhoff and Tim Marshall. Basel: Birkhäuser,
2007. Online: https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1030303121 [Design]
Burden, Ernest. Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-
Hill, 2002. [Course reserves]
Ching, Francis D. K. A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1995. [Course Reserves]
Ching, Francis D. K. Architecture, Form, Space & Order. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1979. [Course Reserves]
Melvin, Jeremy. --Isms: Understanding Architecture. London: Herbert Press, 2005.
Trench, Lucy. Materials & Techniques in the Decorative Arts: An Illustrated
Dictionary. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. [Course reserves]
How to write about buildings:

Borden, Iain, Murray Fraser, and Barbara Penner, eds. Forty Ways to Think About
Architecture: Architectural History and Theory Today. Chichester, West Sussex,
United Kingdom: Wiley, 2014. Online: https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/917919018

Lange, Alexandra. “Intro,” In Writing about Architecture: Mastering the Language of

Buildings and Cities, Princeton Architectural Press, 2012. Online:
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/927105699
History and theory basics:

Frampton, Kenneth. Modern Architecture: A Critical History, 5th ed. New York,
Thames & Hudson, 2020. [Course Reserves]
The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture. London: Phaidon Press, 2004.
[Course Reserves]
Curtis, William J. R. Modern Architecture Since 1900. 3Rd ed. London: Phaidon,
1996. [Course Reserves]
Ching, Francis D. K, Mark Jarzombek, and Vikramaditya Prakash. A Global History of
Architecture. Third edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley, 2017. Online:
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/971615732
Davies, Colin. Thinking About Architecture: An Introduction to Architectural
Theory. Laurence King, 2011. Online: https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/803965925
Arnold, Dana. Reading Architectural History. London: Routledge, 2002. Online:
https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/56360134