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Module

APL2005 : Twentieth Century Architecture (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Mr Rutter Carroll
  • Demonstrator: Miss Sophie Ellis
  • Lecturer: Dr Stephen Parnell, Professor Prue Chiles, Professor John Pendlebury, Professor Adam Sharr
  • Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This course examines the major currents in architectural thinking that have shaped and conditioned the design of buildings in the twentieth century.

It engages with the histories and theories of architecture and urban design in the twentieth century. It compares and contrasts the lives, ideas and work of some leading designers of the modernist era. The course is designed to raise awareness of the influences on the modern built environment, of important individual buildings, and of the social, economic, environmental, technological, historical and ideological factors that have influenced their design and surroundings. This will enrich students’ understanding of the achievements of the recent past, position present-day architecture in an historical context, and help the student to approach historical and contemporary design issues critically.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module – the teaching of which is based on a weekly one-hour illustrated lecture (12 lectures, followed by a final ‘revision lecture’) – covers selected topics in Western architecture from the beginning of the twentieth century, set against the theoretical and historical context out of which modern architecture developed, including: Early Twentieth-Century Architecture in Europe, the Bauhaus, the International Style, American Architecture, ‘Alternative Modernism’ in Europe and America, and Modern British Architecture. By examining the ideas and work of some leading designers of the modernist era – including Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto and Frank Lloyd Wright – the development of the central ideas of modern architecture is traced from the end of the nineteenth century.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion156:0056:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture122:0024:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading152:0052:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery33:009:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery31:003:00Feedback session
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study156:0056:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The development of the central themes and concepts of modern architecture is traced from the late nineteenth century onwards by critically examining the work and ideas of some of the leading designers of the modern era.

This format is also designed to help students to develop their interpretative and critical faculties. Students are thereby encouraged to develop the kind of critical-historical perspective and awareness of past developments that is particularly valuable for both the academic and studio-based development of the practicing designer.

Students are also expected to take advantage of other relevant sources, such as topical articles, films and television programmes, important local buildings and lecture series. Doing so will broaden their exposure to architectural history and theory, and will also introduce them to a form of continuing professional development.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Design/Creative proj2A80Design proposal seeking to balance the needs of different stakeholders in the community surrounding the site/building (500 words)
Essay2M20Short essay (1000 words), reflecting on the approach to a 20th century conservation area/building using the project as basis for rlt
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Project and reflective essay &: To develop students' awareness of the design process (project) and implications (essay) of the variety of approaches to understanding of 20th century architecture heritage building / area.

Reading Lists

Timetable