History and Culture Experimental Unit

Dr. Pablo Planet Arrocha, Unit Director

There is a common factor on historic and theoretical studies in the profession of architecture, and it is that history can be primary used to locate a specific time point in a linear procession of events. However, as useful as that knowledge can be, the Academy needs to be innovative in the far richer process on utilizing history and theory as elements of architectural judgment and reflection.  Those elements are of greater value for the creation of space on contemporary contexts.

With a comparative and contrasting method in mind, one can look to the past and learn of the future. The appraisal our own culture, to discover new trends  or even create one with a theoretical discourse. The value of those disciplines are not being put in doubt, but are being questioned and are being pushed to provide the answers to present problematic in architecture.

Course Descriptions

ARAD 201 Analytical Design Studio I: Architectural History and Culture – Design Studio

The first of the Analytical Design Studio series, the Architecture History and Culture studio is presented as the link between the fundamentals of architecture and the historical basis of design. The studio aims to introduce students to the historical background of architectural design based on the cultural, social, economic, political and chronological threads that have defined architecture as a physical manifestation of the impending thoughts of a people at a specific point in time. It is through this exploration that students shall understand that architecture, while materializing through the built form, finds its validation within the prevalent sociological tendencies of an era, thus defining architectural form as a physical interpretation of a more complex structure.  Students will be subjected to the methodology of documentation, analysis and representation of historical architecture based on the basic parameters of style, proportions, patterns, function, typology, construction methodology and historical contexts. The studio shall be structured through the implementation of lectures, research assignments, documentation exercises and design projects leading to the understanding and reinterpretation of precedents and historical data into contemporary realms and contexts. The course is structured in two weekly 4-hour studio sessions and one 4-hour Laboratory complimentary to the themes covered within the main Studio. The studio session will consist of a 1-hour theoretical lecture at the beginning of each studio session followed by 3 hours of practical exploration and implementation of the concepts.

8 hours, 1 semester, 5 credits

ARAR 201 (Laboratory) Historical Documentation and Representation Techniques – Digital Laboratory

The Historical Documentation and Representation laboratory aims to provide students with the digital tools and methodology for documenting, manipulating and abstracting form, function, character, materiality, contruct and style within historically and architecturally significant precedents complimentary to the main studio offering. The use of 3-Dimensional modeling, animation and fabrication shall yield a greater understanding of the craft and essence of historical architecture as catalysts for contemporary design through abstraction and conceptualization. The laboratory also aims to formally commence a digital database of historically significant buildings, details an urban scenarios to be archived for future reference.

Within the Design Studio – 4 hours, 1 semester, 1 credit

ARHT 101 Architectural History I: Ancient to Gothic – Theory

This course, as the official introduction to the required Architectural History and Culture series, provides the historical basis for architectural history, theory and design. It aims to provide a panoramic and chronological perspective of architectural design and culture through the means of in-depth analysis and critique of the prevalent philosophies, theories, and precedents of architecture from Prehistoric Times to 15th century Europe and Asia. In addition, the course provides a descriptive narrative of the origin and development of the urban realm within the periods being discussed. Discussions will also be provided within the context of artistic expression as relevant and, in most cases, parallel to the understanding of the architectural manifestations of each period. Through a series of seminars and lectures, students shall gain a structured understanding of the cultural, social, economic, philosophical, technological and political forces inherent within each era, and their implications as catalysts of architectural expression. The course will also give students a sense of the criteria by which historical architecture is critiqued, thus giving them a practical approach at the use of precedents as applicable within the studio.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ARHT 201 Architectural History II: Neoclassicism to Contemporary Western Civilization– Theory

Architectural History II is the second required course in the Architectural History and Culture lecture series. The course aims to provide a holistic view of architectural design and culture through the means of in-depth analysis and critique of the prevalent philosophies, theories, and precedents of architecture from Renaissance to contemporary western architecture and culture. In addition, the course provides a descriptive narrative of the origin and development of the urban realm within the periods being discussed. Discussions will also be provided within the context of artistic expression as relevant and, in most cases, parallel to the understanding of the architectural manifestations of each period. Through a series of seminars and lectures, students shall gain a structured understanding of the cultural, social, economic, philosophical, technological and political forces inherent within each era, and their implications as catalysts of architectural expression. The course will also give students a sense of the criteria by which historical architecture is critiqued, thus giving them a practical approach at the use of precedents as applicable within the studio.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ARTH 301 Architectural History III: Latin America and Puerto Rico– Theory

This third required course in the Architectural History and Culture lecture series breaks away from the chronological approach of the latter courses in preference of a geographical approach as a means of integrating a more relevant and tangible cultural context for the students. The course offers significant insight into the cultural, social, economic, philosophical, technological and political forces driving architectural and urban design in the Latin American and Caribbean Region, with special emphasis to the origins and implementation of architectural design in Puerto Rico and the inherent forces of culture, economic policy and political issues behind its architectural legacy, culture, heritage and urban character. The course will consist of lectures, seminars and discussion groups.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ARTH 401 Contemporary Architectural Theory and Discourse – Elective

The course aims to provide students with the philosophical and theoretical base by which contemporary architecture is rationalized and manifested, from reinterpretations of historical models to the experimentation of novel paradigms. Works of the principal theorists from the 20th century will be studied and examined as a backdrop to current local and international projects and their impact on a regional and global scale. Through careful and insightful analysis of contemporary design processes, students shall form their own interpretations and form a more descriptive basis for their own development and re-dimensioning as applicable to their own professional goals and philosophies. The course will consist of a series of seminars, lectures, and group discussions.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ARTH 501 Emergent Practices and New Architectural Paradigms – Elective

This course is provided as a supplement to ARHT 201. It following the works of influential architects and practices of the past 15 years throughout the world. The key contributors of recent decades will be studied and critiqued based on their impending philosophical approach and their manifestation at different scales and contextual fields. As a means to integrate the topic within the genetics of the School of Architecture’s curricular structure, case studies will be selected in response and in tune to the nine Experimental Units that compose the schools curriculum, thus linking the themes to existing practical implementations. The course will consist of lectures and group discussions, providing four to five lectures per topic and practical implementations of each theme.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ARTH 601 Philosophy of Science and Technology – Elective

The objective of this series of lectures is to provide a chronological narrative as a means to examine the origins and direction of technological innovation in the fields of design, and to provide a theoretical and practical foundation of the use of digital technology as a precursor and medium for Design as related to architecture, urbanism, media, and building systems. The use of digital technology will be studied from its most practical and tangible iterations, to the most artistic and rationally challenging expressions of the medium, thus providing students with a range of potential applications and tools to develop and expand their own palette within the field of design.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits