LV EN RU DE FR

Introduction to Architectural Phenomenology

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Arhi3074, Architecture I

Course abstract

The study course reveals the influence of the direction of philosophy - phenomenology in modern architecture. The focus is on the importance of architecture as an artificial environment and landscape / place in human life from the point of view of the phenomenological belief system. The course looks at the interaction between man and the environment and its research methodology. Students get acquainted with the interpretation of phenomenology in the field of architecture and landscape architecture and their practical use.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: students understand the main theories, concepts, methods, the philosophical context of architecture phenomenology. Students are aware of relation between a human being and artificial environment / architecture from the consciousness approach, as well as interrelation of architecture and philosophy in modern architecture (Theoretically analytical study).
Skills: students are able to define a phenomenological approach in creation of architecture; evaluate phenomenological methods in creation of architectural environment, characterize consciousness of architectural and landscape environment. (Theoretically analytical study)
Competence: students understand, and they are able to define, describe and analyse the given architecture examples in the context of phenomenology selecting the necessary information and using theories for their definition; they understand interrelation: the role of architecture or artificial space, art and ethics in organisation of environment (Seminar).
Ability to analyse and describe the most important aspects of environmental psychology – theoretical knowledge testing (Test).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. General aspects of philosophy and phenomenology. (2 h)
2 The combination and diversity of views of Phenomenology theorists Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. (4 h)
3. Theoretical guidelines of architectural phenomenology. Philosophy and architecture of XX and XXI centuries (Theoretical analytical reflection). (4 h)
4. Aspects of architectural understanding: art, ethics, and space. Their contemporary phenomenological understanding. (2 h)
5. Phenomenology and Space in Architecture: Experience, sensation and meaning. The perception of the urban environment from K. Norberg-Schulz viewpoint. Genius loci. (4 h)
6. Juhani Pallasma, Steven Holl, Peter Zumthor and Phenomenology of Architecture. Seminar. (3 h)
7. Postmodern architecture and phenomenology. (2 h)
8. Urban landscape / environment (traditional, postmodern), environment and architectural space and atmosphere. Alvar Aalto and the meaning of the rhythm of architectural forms. Seminar. (3 h)
9. The perception of the urban environment from the perspective of Yi-Fu Tuan and David Canter. Place attachment and place identity. (2 h)
10. City and overcrowding. Topophilia and topophobia (Theoretical analytical reflection). (2 h)
11. End of the course: Seminar: "Phenomenological approach to architecture". (4 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Class visiting should be at least 75%. Assessment works have to be done in time. Works, that are handed in later (if there is no justified reason), evaluation is reduced by one mark. To pass the study course, study work assessments have to be positive.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Theoretically analytical study. Analyzing theoretical work student obtains: knowledge and understanding about the main theories, concepts, methods, the philosophical context of architecture phenomenology; concludes about aware of relation between a human being and artificial environment / architecture from the consciousness approach, as well as interrelation of architecture and philosophy in modern architecture (4 pages long, handed in electronically).
Theoretically analytical study and narration. Skills: students are able to define a phenomenological approach in creation of architecture; evaluate phenomenological methods in creation of architectural environment, characterize consciousness of architectural and landscape environment (4 pages long, handed in electronically; narration 2 min).
Seminar. Students understand and they are able to define, describe and analyse the given examples in the context of phenomenology of architecture, selecting the necessary information and using theories for their definition; they analyse and interpret research findings and reflects the role of landscape architecture in the urban environment in the context of Genius Loci (a 3 min PowerPoint presentation).

Test. Students are able to analyse and describe the most important aspects of environmental psychology – theoretical knowledge testing.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Study course formal test assessment depends on seminar task assessment and study course practical work cumulative assessment.
Practical work and seminar are evaluated according to task evaluating form.

Compulsory reading

1. Merleau-Ponty M. Phenomenology of Perception. London: Routledge, 2005.
2. Norberg-Schulz C. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. New York: Rizzoli, 1980. ISBN: 9780847802876
3. Otero-Pailos J. Architecture’s Historical Turn: Phenomenology and the Rise of the Postmodern. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2010.
4. Rubenis A. Fenomenoloğija. Rīga: Avots, 1983. 93 lpp.

Further reading

1. Groys B. Art Power. Cambridge, London: MIT Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-262-07292-2
2. Kruks S. Ārtelpas skulptūras semiotika, ekonomika un politika. Pieminekļu celtniecība un demontāža Latvijā 1945-2010. Rīga: Neputns, 2011. ISBN 978-9984-807-84-3.
3. Tuan Yi-Fu. Topophilia: A Study of Environmental Perceptions, Attitudes and Values. Englewood, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1974.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Environmental & Architectural Phenomenology [online] http://www.arch.ksu.edu/seamon/EAP.html
2. Almanahs. Filosofija, Nr.1,2,3,4, 5,6. Rīga: Filosofijas un socioloğijas institūts

Notes

Compulsory course in full-time studies of VBF study program "Landscape Architecture and Planning" (Bachelor). The course exploitable in English.