Architectural documentation as field of research is far more than the survey of building and drawing of plans. In a modern scientific approach buildings should be interpreted as the product of many influences: historical, social, cultural, economical and ecological factors are all having effect on design,structure and function of architecture. A multidisciplinary research approach ensures the possibility of analysing a building in far more depth than its mere technical structure. For such an approach it is customary to use methods and sources applied or provided by other academic disciplines such as social anthropology, ethnography, sociology, history or ecology. In case of larger projects experts from different academic fields are asked to cooperate, which of course would be too time-consuming an effort in case of a University course. Nevertheless this course lays an emphasis on working with sources and methods, which are not originating from the field of classical architectural research and documentation as such. Detailed examples how such work can be done will be presented during lectures. The aim of the course is to motivate students to do research independently and summarize their findings in an article which would be fit for presentation at an international scientific conference.
Summary:
- Introduction to social and cultural sciences aspects of architectural research.
- mediation of methodological tools to independently carry out empirical field studies and to make the results understandable.
To promote a better understanding of the relationship between the inhabitants and their built environment. This should enable future architects to react more specifically to the needs and requirements of the users of architecture
The subject of research is the architecture of Ulcinj; Montenegro. Ulqin is the most southern town of Montenegro since the treaty of Berlin in 1887, but with an Albanian speaking population majority. The town with its fortress (Kalaja) originating in a probably Illyrian settlement originating in the Bronze age, developed over the centuries to an important trading port for Greek, Roman and North African traders. Through its history, the Romans, Venetians and Ottomans ruled the town, each leaving their architectural and cultural traces. The fortification nowadays visible is from the 15th century. For the tower-like houses inside, Venetian and Ottoman influences merged with traditional Balkan styles and features to a very urban-oriental footprint but with single tower houses and palaces in stone material. The center is dominated by the Balsic tower, a church-mosque and the public space of the former slave market. Only two heavy fortified entrance gates lead to the enwalled town on a spectacular plateau stretching into the Mediterranean Sea. On the landside, during the Ottoman times a traditional Bazaar quarter with clock tower from 1754, several mosques (Sinan Pasha mosque from 1719; Vrhpazarska mosque from 1749 and Lamin-Pasha mosque, 1689) and hammams developed during the 16th and 17th centuries. The former republic of Yugoslavia also left its traces in several touristic buildings of remarkable modern architectural styles (Hotel Mediteran, 1966).
The research task of the course is to get a better understanding of this particular part of the built cultural heritage: How were these houses generally built? (method: e.g. interviews, anthropological approach), What kind of building materials were used? (method: e.g. building materials technical analysis, ecology of the surrounding area), Which climate influences had to be respected? (method: e.g. plan studies, utilization studies).
INTRODUCTION: Wednesday, 08.03.2017 09:00 Seminarroom 251
Courses: Wednesdays 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00
There are 2 options: Focus on 1) Building Analysis or 2) City Analysis
for 1) - Compilation of the results of the field study- Scientific paper, which could be handed in at an international scientific conference- presentation of the paper in PechaKucha format
and for Course 251.748 Comparative research in architecture - Cultural Spaces and Identity in Architecture:- Compilation of the results of the field study
for 2) - Compilation of the results of the field study
and for Course 251.748 Comparative research in architecture - Cultural Spaces and Identity in Architecture:- Compilation of the results of the field study- Scientific paper, which could be handed in at an international scientific conference- presentation of the paper in PechaKucha format
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