20th-century European architecture - from thatch to titanium

We all live in buildings and interact with architecture daily and thus in a sense are all expert on using architecture. This course builds on the foundation of personal experience to consider the buildings we live in and how they came to be. Many of the constructions around us were created in the twentieth century and in yet in this period we can encounter a multiplicity of styles and forms. This course seeks to answer the question, why was there such dramatic change in the architecture of the period 1900 – 2000?  

An examination of the architecture of the twentieth century demonstrates what extraordinary changes took place in construction, not just in terms of materials which truly moved from thatch to titanium, but also in terms of possibilities. The century was divided by war and this conflict provided a catalyst for new architectural visions but were they successful? Taking a chronological approach, we will examine some of the major styles to emerge in the century and focus on key architectural examples. By focusing on these examples students will have the opportunity to discuss building designs and develop an understanding of architectural language and terminology.  

Our examination of twentieth century architecture will incorporate critical analysis in which we not only quantify the components of various styles but also move on to questions of suitability. Were these buildings successful and how should we measure that success?  We consider the context of construction and how this shaped architectural ideals and public reaction to these works. Through this aspect of the course students will develop valuable skills of analysis and critical engagement. Tracing the changes in architectural design over a hundred-year period and considering why such changes took place provides a fascinating window into the social history of the period.  

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Students will be able to recognize a number of different twentieth century architectural styles and understand their position in the chronology of the century.  
• Students will be able to compare different styles and identify shared features and differences between them.  
• Students will be able to name some of the key architects of the twentieth century and their written work on architectural design. 

Classes

1. In the beginning – what was happening in architecture at the beginning of the 20C?
In the first session we engage with some architectural styles from the very beginning of the 20C which provide a starting point for the architectural development which follows.  

2. Between the wars - celebrating the craftsman and rewarding the worker
In the inter war period we examine styles with a purpose. The Bauhaus movement valued the craftsman and his expertise, whilst the Constructivist style sought to better the lives of Soviet citizens through architecture for the people.  

3. The Impact of War – architecture and ideology
The third session examines wartime construction paying particular attention to the politicization of architecture to promote nationalistic agendas.  

4. A Brave New World – Modernism and Brutalism
Session four examines the architectural response to wartime destruction. With a need for quick cost-effective architecture and the wish to signal change we consider the advent of modernist styles.  

5. What next? Postmodernism and the shock of the new.
By the end of the century architecture was possible which could only have been imagined a hundred years earlier. We examine the ways in which architects pushed boundaries in a wave of extraordinary and challenging constructions. 

Required reading

Hitchcock, H. Architecture: Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Fourth Edition (The Yale University Press Pelican History of Art Series), 1992

Sharr, A. Modern Architecture: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press), 2018. This is a compact and accessible text which is very useful for understanding the themes of the course. 

Although not essential, students may find it useful to acquire a dictionary of architectural terms such as: 

Honour, H., Fleming, J, & Pevsner, N. The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture (Penguin Reference Books), 1991

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.