Explore the World Through Architecture

Each time we meet we will focus on either an architect, an aspect, style or type of architecture, some famous, some not well known, but always fascinating!  I will present a summary of our focus for the week, giving historical or cultural context.  I will show images (photos, renderings, sketches, architectural plans) and video, and utilize the drawing tool on Zoom to visually explain more about our focus. We will discuss different aspects of architecture, notice characteristics about buildings, how buildings and spaces influence how we feel, learn about structures, and how architecture can transform a community or city.  

After class I may post several images of the buildings we studied on the classroom page for students to draw in their sketchbooks and label with the name of building, architect, location and year built, plus any defining characteristics or information they wish to note.  

The class is non-linear, so each class can stand alone, though if students attend each week, their knowledge of the wonderful complexities of architecture will only grow.  The goal is to develop a keen and critical eye for our built environment, and marvel at the diversity of designs around the world. Keeping a sketchbook etches what was learned in class into students' minds and gives them a collection of their work to look back on.  

This session we will focus on these architects/topics:

WEEK OF:
Jan 8 - Architecture of Rotterdam
Jan 15 - MVRDV, Dutch Architecture Firm
Jan 22 - Kunle Adeyemi, Nigerian Architect
Jan 29 - Kazuyo Sejima, Japanese Architect
Feb 5 - J. Max Bond, Jr, American Architect
Feb 12 - Renzo Piano, Italian Architect

Please be advised, schedule subject to change. If you have a particular interest in a topic listed, please send me a note to ensure your section will be studying that topic on that day. Thank you!