Architecture and Society

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Teaching Architecture and Society: Lectures
Posted November 30, 2011

Essay Questions for Quiz 3

1. In their discussion of Edgartown and Santa Barbara the authors of The Place of Houses are particularly concerned with those characteristics that make a place, “not just a collection of separate things, but something memorable in itself.” They bring up issues of architectural continuity/homogeneity/consistency. Briefly discuss the UT campus in terms of its character as a place. What buildings or areas are most contributive to the making of a coherent character? What buildings or areas, if any, are detrimental to such a character?

2. The UT Tower was designed by Paul Philippe Cret. It is a building that is full of meaning. Discuss the messages it conveys and the means by which it conveys them.

3. Using the material from the lecture on “Designation and Organization of Use,” analyze the ground level of Gregory Gym (anywhere you can go from the front door without going up or down the steps, including outdoor spaces) in terms of what uses are there and how they are organized. Use as a model the way we analyzed the two libraries in class. Is the organization logical? Does it respond to any of the reasons for designating and organizing uses (for primitive societies and for contemporary society) noted in class?

4. In class we discussed eight characteristics of neighborhoods/communities which contribute to making humane environments at a larger scale. Compare and contrast the humaneness of the West Mall (Guadalupe St. to Main Building) and the Speedway Mall (21st St to 24th St.) using at least five of those criteria. Concentrate on analysis of what environmental features contribute to the making of a humane environment rather than simply on description of the two spaces.

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Teaching Architecture and Society: Handouts
Posted November 19, 2011

Larry Speck

Teaching

Courses:

Architecture and Society

1.17- Course Outline

1.17- Handout #1

12.01 – A Few Good Buildings

11.29.2011 – Perfection and Compromise

Essay Questions for Quiz 3

11.17.2011 – Synthesis of Human Factors

11.15.2011 – Meaning in Public Buildings

11.10.2011 – Humanism at the Scale of Neighborhoods

11.08.2011 – Humanism at a Personal Scale

11.03.2011 – Architectural Determinism

11.01.2011 – Designation & Organization of Use

10.25.2011 – Synthesis of Physical Considerations

10.20.2011-Architecture in Response to Climate

10.18.2011 – Construction & Tectonics

10.11.2011 – Structures and Materials

10.06.2011 – Geography, Topography, and Ecology

10.04.2011 – Buildings and Land

9.27.2011 – Synthesis of Form

9.22.2011 – Organic as Inspiration

9.20.2011 – Mathematics as Inspiration

9.15.2011 – Intellectual & Artistic Experience

9.6.2011 – Architectural Values

9.8.2011 – Sensual & Visual Form

8.31.2011 – Architecture & Society

5.5.2011 – A Few Good Buildings

Course Materials:

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