Course syllabus for Architecture and history of technology

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-17 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameArkitektur och teknikhistoria
  • CodeARK203
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKATK
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture and Engineering
  • ThemeMTS 7.5 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 46116
  • Maximum participants50
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0122 Written and oral assignments 3.5 c
Grading: UG
3.5 c
0222 Field trip 4 c
Grading: UG
4 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Architectural history ATH062 or some similar course.

Aim

To understand the relation of architecture to technology, to the organisation of building and to culture and society in general by studying theories, projects and buildings from history until today.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Describe some historical developments of materials, techniques of production, know-how and ideas of building.

Reflect over the relation between architecture, technology and other systems of culture and society during different historical epochs.

Show a repertoire of examples representing the interchange between architecture, technology, culture and society.

Content

The course treats the history of architecture and the relation between architecture and technology through history. Some of the relevant aspects of building treated in the course are: availability of materials and development of transport, building production as management and as economic, technical and legal systems, the structure, heating and climate control of buildings, the development and importance of design methods, the differentiation of the building trade and the changes of the engineers' and the architects' profession. The core aspect is the culture of architecture and technology's relation to architecture and architectural creation from the perspective of sustainable building.

Organisation

Lectures. Seminars. Group exercises. Reading. Writing. A study trip to explore buildings and construction in reality. The object of the study trip is decided separately each year by the teachers in conversation with head of program at AT. The study trip is prepared through the activities mentioned above and through the production of a sort of guide book for the trip. The students will also prepare oral presentations of different objects which will the be performed and discussed in a seminar like way during the trip. Students who won't have the possibility to join the trip will be given a selection of buildings to visit in the vicinities of Göteborg.

Literature

Bill Addis, Building. 3000 Years of Design, Engineering and Construction. London: Phaidon, 2007.

Elias Cornell, Byggnadstekniken: metoder och idéer genom tiderna. 2. uppl. Stockholm: Byggförlaget, 1979.

Andrea Deplazes (red.), Constructing Architecture : Materials, Processes, Structures. 3:e utökade utgåvan. Basel: Birkhäuser Verlag, 2013.

Sture Samuelsson, Ingenjörens konst: material och konstruktion ger form. Stockholm: Balkong, 2015.

Literature about the destination of the study trip will be given separately by the teachers each year.

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved assignments. Active participation in lectures and seminars and at the study trip.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.