Faculty: Course Assistant: Jannie Rosenborg Bendsen (JRB) Lenna Johnsen (LJ) Meeting Location: V7.41 Meeting Time: Tu + Fri 10:05-11:25 Related Disciplines: Architecture, Art History Course Description Danish Architecture seen in a historical, political, social and architectural context, and in relation to general European and Nordic architectural developments. The course introduces key developments and influences within the cultural and built environment. Danish architects and works of architecture from the 20th and 21st century are introduced and studied. The course places Danish architecture and the Nordic Region into an international architectural context. Throughout the course we study and discuss built projects, and in doing so, enhance an understanding of Danish and Nordic style while developing the ability to analyze, identify, and discuss qualities of architecture. We conduct in-depth studies of selected Danish architects including Arne Jacobsen, Jørn Utzon, Lundgaard & Tranberg, BIG and Vandkunsten, and explore their role in Danish architecture history and development and how they have been influenced by others. We also investigate how they are significant to Danish architecture and the profession today. Learning Objectives At the end of the course you will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the Danish and Nordic architectural style and the historical context of its development. Demonstrate an enhanced ability to contribute your own informed criticism, based on analytical exercise and discussions in class as well as readings, assignments, field trips, and case studies. Demonstrate extensive knowledge of selected Danish architects and their importance to the development of a Danish style. Required Readings The texts listed as required readings will be either in the textbook or on reserve in the library. The required readings will be included extensively in class and hence must be read for every class. The class discussion will question and debate the readings in the context of Danish Architecture and its development. Textbooks Niels-Ole Lund, Nordic Architecture Jørn Ørum-Nielsen, Dwelling Readings on Reserve in the DIS Library Christiansen, Jørgen Hegner and J. Seestoft. Guide I to Danish Architecture. Arkitektens Forlag. Copenhagen 1991. Curtis, William. Modern Architecture Since 1900. Phaidon Press: Oxford, 1982. Dirkinck-Holmfeld, Kim. Guide II to Danish Architecture. Copenhagen: Arkitektens Forlag, 1995. Faber, Tobias. A History of Danish Architecture. The Danish Institute: Copenhagen, 1978. Frampton, Kenneth. Towards a Critical Regionalism. Phaidon: London, 2002. Gehl, Jan. Cities for People, Island Press, Washington DC, 2010 Giedion, Sigfried. Space, Time and Architecture: The Growth of a New Tradition. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, 1980. Svensson, O. and H. Bisgaard. Danish Town Planning Guide. The Danish Town Planning Institute: Copenhagen, 1981. 1
Approach to Teaching The class is based on lectures, dialogues and in-class discussions of the topics based on the required readings and exemplary case studies. Field trips and guest lectures are also included. Assigned texts must be read in advance of the class. The reading professed in this class goes beyond finding information. True reading demands that you first actively listen to the author without projecting your own agenda. In this sense, you might imagine that you are engaged in conservation with the author, a conservation involving analysis, synthesis and creativity. Expectations of Students Active participation, individual research, and personal reflection are required for this course, which offers untraditional ways of approaching architecture and case studies. Assignments The Being an Architecture Critic Assignment (Individual) A 1000 word assignment will be introduced during the first class session and must be submitted via mail to janniebendsen@gmail.com no later than 23:59 5th of February 2016. The Case Study Assignment (Group) A 2500 word group assignment focusing on an architect and a case study of one of his/her exemplary works. Projects for the case study must be chosen from the list at the end of class on 5th of February 2016. Guidelines for writing and presenting case studies will be covered during this class session. You will be reimbursed for the cost of one visit to the site of your case study, if you must travel outside the area covered by your transportation pass. Each group will be reimbursed collectively upon presentation of receipts in the AD Office. Case Study papers are due March 15th 2016 23:59 Midterm Exam The midterm exam will consist of a series of critical essays covering content from lectures, field studies, readings, and case studies. You will be asked to answer 3 of 5 questions in essay format, using analytical sketch diagrams to supplement, as needed. Field Studies The field studies are the primary experiential learning components of the course. These activities should be viewed as an integrated component of the lecture course. The visits will illustrate and expand directly upon the content of the lectures and readings. Evaluation + Grading 15% Active individual participation in class and on field studies 25% Midterm exam 20% Being an Architecture Critic Assignment 40% Group Case Study Assignment To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work. 2
Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Sean Green (sgr@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, you should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes. Policies Attendance You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss two classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness, but you will need to provide a doctor s note. Academic Honesty DIS expects that you abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of F and can result in dismissal. The students home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronically for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions. Electronic Devices Electronic devices are only permitted in class and on field studies when directly related to in-class exercises. Student work DIS has the right to use any student project whether it be for display, archive, documentation or any other educational purpose. In addition, DIS reserves the right to reproduce and publish images of any such student work in collegiate publications, printed or electronic, for the purposes of teaching, publicity and outreach. 3
Day Date Session Time Topic Fri Jan 22 01 10:05-11:25 Course Introduction Course introduction and introduction to the first assignment Being an Archi tecture critic. Reflections on writing about architecture and architectural history and how it shapes our perception of architecture. Vidler, Anthony. Histories of the Immediate Present- Inventing Architectural Modernism. Pages xiii-xvii and 1-15. Tue Jan 26 02 10:05-11:25 Experiencing Architecture Experiencing Architecture with Steen Eiler Rasmussen. Reflections on what Steen Eiler Rasmussen regards as being the most important architectural elements and their effects on us when we experience architecture. How can we use his method when we experience architecture? Introduction to the case study assignment. Rasmussen, Steen Eiler. Experiencing Architecture. First Chapter. Fri Jan 29 03 10:05-11:25 Vernacular Architecture Guest lecture: Henning Thomsen Ørum-Nielsen, Jørn: Dwelling, p. 162-175. Tue Feb 2 04 10:05-11:25 Danish Tradition in the 20th Century Introduction to what is called the Danish Tradition in architecture. What are the characteristics and how is it defined? Examples of Danish architecture mainly from the first half of the 20th century. Lund, Nils-Ole. The Danish Tradition. from Nordic Architecture, p. 57-85. Fri Feb 5 05 10:05-11:25 Planning Copenhagen Changing ideas in planning and planning in Copenhagen after 1945. Fingerplanen, Køge Bugt, Copenhagen Harbour front and Ørestad. Tom Nielsen, Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss: Welfare Urbanism. Kvorning, Jens. Copenhagen: Formation, Change, and Urban Life. Fri Feb 5 23:59 Deadline - Being an Architecture Critic Hand-in no later than 23:59 on Friday, February 5th February 8-13 Core Course Week and Short Study Tour Tue Feb 16 06 10:05-11:25 Housing: Pre-war Introduction to the history of Danish Housing from the late 19th century to 1940. We will look at both social and private housing, different typologies and how they develop in the first half of the 20th century. Faber, Tobias. Danish Architecture. p. 158-162 and 194-204. (on reserve) Ørum-Nielsen, Jørn: Dwelling, p. 179-186 Fri Feb 19 07 10:05-11:25 Housing: Welfare Introduction to the history of Danish Housing from the 1940s. The developments of the different typologies and a look at how the architects worked closely with especially the Social Housing organizations. Lund, Nils-Ole. Nordic Housing. from Nordic Architecture, p. 244-276. Tue Feb 23 08 10:05-11:25 Modern Student Housing (Field Study) Tietgenkollegiet by Lundegaard and Tranberg 4 4
Day Date Session Time Topic Fri Feb 26 09 10:05-11:25 Architectural Policies There was a strong connection between society and architecture during the development of the welfare state. Many important legal frameworks helped shape the physical environment. In recent decades a new phenomenon, architectural policy, is introduced. What is architecturally policy? What does it do? What does it contain? How does it relate to tradition? Required readings: Putting People First Danish Architectural Policy, 2014 February 27-March 6 Travel Break Tue Mar 8 10 10:05-11:25 Transformation in Small and Large Scales Transformation of existing areas and buildings with a closer look at Islands Brygge and Carlsberg. Ellefsen, Karl-Otto. Preservation and/or Authenticity. Madsen, Peter. Identity and Urbanity. Fri Mar11 11 10:05-11:25 Transformation (Field Study) The Copenhagen Habour front - Islands Brygge and Havnestaden. Tue Mar 15 12 10:05-11:25 The New Wave in Danish Architecture In the first decade of the new millennium, the 2000s, Danish Architecture was exposed to new energies, new architectural approaches. Focus on BIG and COBE Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss and Kjeld Vindum. The New Wave in Danish Architecture. p. 14-21, 39-55, 149-157. (On Reserve) 23:59 Case Study Assignment Deadline Wed Mar 16 8:30-12:30 Presentations of Group Work Fri Mar 18 13 10:05-11:25 Examples of Danish Pragmatism (Field Study) Bjerget and VM-husene by BIG Tue Mar 22 14 10:05-11:25 School Building (Field Study) A visit to CBS Kilen March 23-28 Travel Break Tue Mar 29 15 10:05-11:25 Schools In the 20th century the design of Danish Schools changed and today there is a strong focus on how to shape school buildings to accommodate very different teaching methods. And the question is can a building in itself aid the education process? MacKeith, Peter. Reflections on a Nordic Public Architecture. Pagh, Jesper. Education and Research. Arkitektur DK 02 2013. Fri Apr 1 16 10:05-11:25 Midterm Exam Tue Apr 5 17 10:05-11:25 Museums In this session we will have a closer look at museum buildings and how their design and role in the society have changed from the beginning of the 20th century till today. Required Reading: Pardey, John. Louisiana- a Pavilion in the Park. 5 5
Day Date Session Time Topic Fri Apr 8 18 10:05-11:25 Buildings for Leisure An essential part of building the welfare state was to create facilities for leisure activities. How did the architects design buildings for leisure in the 20th century and what about today? Faber, Tobias. Danish Architecture, p. 281-285. (on reserve) Carsten Thau and Kjeld Vindum. Arne Jacobsen (Rødovre Library). Thomsen, Henning. The Rise of the Welfare Society. Arkitektur DK. April 9-17 Travel Break Tue Apr 19 19 10:05-11:25 Working Places (Field Study) Copenhagen Town Hall Tue Apr 26 20 10:05-11:25 Working Places In this session we will look at different kinds of working places and how they have changed during the 20th century until today. Can buildings tell us about their functions? If so, what stories are they telling? Helle Bøgelund-Hansen, Birgitte Darger, and Hans Ovesen. Spotting Modern Copenhagen. p. 136-152. Carsten Thau and Kjeld Vindum. Arne Jacobsen (Rødovre Townhall). Pagh, Jesper. Public Administration and Infrastructure. Arkitektur DK. Pagh, Jesper. Industry and Trade. Arkitektur DK. Wed Apr 27 13:00-17:00 Field Study Bagsværd Church by Jørn Utzon, and Søndergård Park Fri Apr 29 21 10:05-11:25 Working Places (Field Study) The Danish National Bank by Arne Jacobsen. Tue May 3 22 10:05-11:25 Urban Spaces Guest lecture: Birgitte Bundesen Svarre, Gehl Architects Introduction to Jan Gehl s thinking. Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings. p. 9-48. Fri May 6 23 10:05-11:25 Outro Danish architecture in a bigger picture Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss and Kjeld Vindum. A Conversation about the Architecture of the New Wave. Schedule subject to change with as much notice as possible All future edits to the syllabus will be made on Blackboard only. 6 6