spring 2022

ARC 234/534
Introduction to Architectural History II
The myth of modernity: 1450 to the Present
T & Th 2:00-3:20

Instructor: Hadas Steiner

hsteiner@buffalo.edu
office hours: Thursdays 3:30-4:30, or by appointment

Tutorial Instructor: Nicholas Eichelberger

nreichel@buffalo.edu
office hours: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30, or by appointment

This course introduces the narrative of architectural modernity since the Renaissance, ie the
account that arose in response to the consolidation of power in Roman Catholicism and the
European nation state that gave rise to revolutions in the theory and practice of design. It
also investigates the migration of styles from West to East and East to West, as a part of
the imperialistic projects of Enlightenment and Colonialism. Though the emphasis will be on
built and community form in—and imposed by—the West, developments in major world
cultures will inflect that narrative in return. By means of the intellectual and social context
in which Western architecture was produced and propagated, we will study the exchanges
on local, national and international levels that structure the visual and cultural expressions
of particular times and places. We will also explore the ideology of the modern metropolis
as a cultural ideal. Research tools and the politics of interpretation will be emphasized
throughout the semester as we examine how architectural narratives are created, sustained
and challenged.

The course has two classroom formats: 1) a twice-weekly lecture accompanied by visual
material and 2) ten discussion sessions. In order to benefit from both, complete the
assigned reading prior to the corresponding meeting. Large lectures are by definition a
passive learning experience; active participation is expected in the smaller recitation
groups. Assignments and exams stress comprehension, insight and articulation over rote
memorization.

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Required texts:

1. Spiro Kostof, A History of Architecture, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press)

Also available online as a pdf: https://www.scribd.com/document/334182705/Spiro-Kostof-A-History-of-
Architecture-Settings-and-Rituals-pdf)
2. Kenneth Frampton, Modern Architecture (Oxford/Thames & Hudson)
Available in several formats online, including a free pdf:
https://www.academia.edu/6430746/Kenneth_frampton_modern_architecture
3. Ulrich Conrads, Programs & Manifestoes on 20thC Architecture (MIT Press)
Also available online as a pdf: https://www.scribd.com/doc/167449080/programs-and-manifestoes-on-
20th-century-architecture-Ulrich-Conrads-1-pdf
4. Additional readings will be posted to UBLearns

Student Obligations:

1. Preparedness for class and recitation (10%). Please note that the lectures build on—but do not duplicate
—the textbook material. Recitations will be led weekly and attendance of your scheduled recitation is
required. For full credit all required work must be handed at that recitation time in whatever format is
requested. All absences must be approved in advance and any unapproved late work will be subject
to a penalty that escalates with time. Deadline extensions must be granted before the original
submission date/time.
2. Case Study 1 (20%).
3. Case Study 2 (20%).
4. Midterm exam (20%). The midterm will take place during class time on 3/31/2022.
5. Final exam (30%). The final exam will take place on Tuesday 5/17/2022 from 3:30-6:30PM.

Eligibility:

While this class satisfies a requirement in the department of architecture, no professional expertise is required. All
interested participants are welcome.

Accessibility:

Students who meet the university criteria for particular accommodations should follow the procedures set by
Accessibility Resources (www.buffalo.edu/accessibility) and let them be known to the instructor so that they can
be accommodated.

Academic Integrity:

Integrity is very important to me and plagiarism—or any other kind of academic dishonesty—will not be
tolerated. And I quote:
“Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the
appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others’ academic endeavors. By placing their name
on academic work, students certify originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate
acknowledgments.”

University Policy on integrity includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Students should not cheat on exams or papers.
Students should not submit previously completed work as original work.
Students should not submit work done for one class to fulfill the requirements of another.

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Grading Criteria

A 94+; A- 90-93; B+ 87-89; B 83-86; B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 73-76; C- 70-72; D 60-69 F <60

A = 4 Exceptional work. Meets and exceeds all criteria. Clear understanding of concepts and techniques.
Exhibits insights indicating that the experiences from one project/exercise to the next are cumulative and
transferable. Constructively challenges and criticizes issues brought forth during the semester. Develops
capability to be constructively self-critical. Assumes responsibility for intellectual development of self
and encourages intellectual development of colleagues. Maintains perfect attendance. This grade indicates
clear capability to perform well at the next level.
B = 3 Above average work. Meets all criteria. Good understanding of concepts and techniques.
Reasonable carry-over from previous exercises. Constructively challenges issues brought forth during the
semester. Maintains excellent attendance. This grade indicates a reasonable prediction of competent
performance at the next level.
C = 2 Average work. Meets minimum requirements. Indicates some difficulty in understanding concepts
and techniques or in transferring experience from one project to the next. Exhibits need for improvement
in critical thinking skills. Maintains good attendance. This grade indicates mediocre to poor performance
at the next level.
D = 1 Below average work. Does not meet minimum requirements. Indicates serious difficulties in
understanding concepts and techniques, and/or in the transfer of information. Probable indication of poor
attendance and lack of motivation.
F = 0 Poor work. This grade is a probably indication of late work, incomplete work, work not submitted, or
overall work so weak that a passing grade is not reasonable.

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SCHEDULE

WEEK 01:

1. 01 Feb Introduction
Adrian Forty, “History,” Words and Buildings.

2. 03 Feb The Rise of Theory

Kostof, Chapters 16-7: “Edges of Medievalism;” “The Renaissance: Ideal and Fad.”

WEEK 02:

3. 08 Feb The Decorated & the Austere

Spiro Kostof, Chapter 21: “Absolutism & Bourgeoisie.”
Wittkower, “Palladio’s Geometry: The Villas,” Architectural Principles in the Age of Humanism.

Recitation 1, 2/9: Introduction

4. 10 Feb Vision in Motion

Henrich Wölfflin, “The Nature of the Change in Style,” Renaissance & Baroque.

WEEK 03:

5. 15 Feb New Science & Neo-Classicism

Kostof, Chapter 22: “Architecture for a New World.”
Alberto Pérez-Gómez, Architecture & the Crisis of Modern Science, part 1.
Steven Shapin, excerpts from The Scientific Revolution.

Recitation 2, 2/16: Discussion of the Scientific Revolution

6. 17 Feb The Picturesque and Orientalism

Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Enquiry into Our Ideas of the Sublime & the Beautiful.

WEEK 04:

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7. 22 Feb Enlightenment Idealism: The West and the World

Recitation 3, 2/23: Discussion of the Enlightenment. critiqued

8. 24 Feb Architecture of Democracy

WEEK 05:*

9. 01 Mar Beaux-Arts
Kenneth Frampton, Chapter 1: “Cultural Transformations,” Modern Architecture.

Recitation 4, 4/2: Discussion of Style and Identity

Submission: printed draft of Case Study 1

10. 03 Mar Revivalism

Kostof, Chapter 23: “Architectural Art & the Landscape of Industry 1800-1850.”

WEEK 06:*

11. 08 Mar Battle of the Styles

John Summerson, “Viollet-le-Duc & the Rational Point of View,” Heavenly Mansions.

Recitation 5, 3/9: “Pin Up”/ Desk Crit

12. 10 Mar Structural Revolution: Engineering

Frampton, Chapter 3: “Technical Transformations.”

WEEK 07:

13. 15 Mar The City: Form

Kostof, Chapter 25: “Victorian Environments.”
Frampton, Part I: 2

Recitation 6, 3/16: Discussion of the Urban Form & Content

Assignment of Case Study 2

14. 17 Mar The City: Content

Frampton, Part II: 2, 10-11

WEEK 08: Spring Break

WEEK 09:

15. 29 Mar Review

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16. 31 Mar Midterm

WEEK 10:*

17. 05 Apr Utopia & Dystopia

Frampton, Part II: 1, 7
Conrads, pp. 34-8, 128-36

Recitation 7, 4/6: Discussion of Avant-Gardism

Final Submission of Case Study 1

18. 07 Apr The Decorated & the Austere 2

Frampton, Part II: 4-6, 8-9
Conrads, pp. 18-25, 28-33

WEEK 11:*

19. 13 Apr Expression vs Abstraction

Frampton, Part II, Chapters 12-16
Conrads, pp. 32-3, 39-43, 46-57, 78-80

Recitation 8, 4/14: Discussion of assigned reading

20. 15 Apr High Modern

Frampton, Part II, Chapters 17-19
Conrads, pp. 59-62, 81-82, 95-97, 99-102, 109-120, 137-145, 154

WEEK 12:*

21. 19 Apr International Style: Colonialism Continued

Hitchcock & Johnson, The International Style, pp. 27-106

Recitation 9, 4/20: Discussion Late Modernism

Submission: printed draft of Case Study 2

22. 21 Apr Modernist Dilemmas

Frampton, Part II, Chapters 20-6
Conrads, pp. 89-94

WEEK 13:*

23. 26 Apr Modernism After WWII

Frampton, Part III, Chapters 1-3

Recitation 10, 4/26: “Pin Up”/ Desk Crit

24. 28 Apr Aesthetics of Plenty

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 Frampton, Part III, Chapter 4
Conrads, pp. 172-174, 177-178

WEEK 14:

25. 03 May Neo-Avant-Gardisms

Conrads, pp. 167-168, 175-176, 181-184

26. 07 May After Modernism

WEEK 15:

27. 10 May no class

28. 12 May Final Review

•Starred weeks indicate that work is due in recitation.

•All the readings on this list are chapters of the textbook or posted to UB Learns.
•Please note that the schedule is subject to change.