4.656
Advanced Study in Modern Architecture—
Architecture, Matter and Materials in Early Modern Europe
Instructor: Christy Anderson
Telephone:
Office:
Send e-mail: cander@mit.edu
Units: 3-0-9
Level: H
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
At the beginning of nearly every architectural treatise, from antiquity to the present, the author begins with a discussion of the ‘stuff’ of architecture: materials, matter and the elements of design. That design and materials are so closely associated in this physical way has rarely been noticed by architectural historians, although it was clearly of great concern to both architects and patrons. The materials of architecture was the greatest cost and cause for concern when beginning any project, large or small. Modern architectural (and art) historians however tend to dismiss this importance placed on the materials of early modern architecture, at times virtually skipping these parts of treatises, or ignoring what seem to be rather irrational concerns of the author to only cut wood at particular times of the year or to avoid siting the house near evil winds. This course will look at the intersection of architecture and science through a focus on the associative meanings of the material stuff of buildings. To do this we will follow Palladio’s own presentation in Book One of his I quattro libri dell’architettura, looking at in turn, stone, metals, and surface ornamentation. Our readings will include classical texts on the nature of matter, scientific writings on structure and strength, historical interpretations, architectural theory, and texts on alchemy. Authors will include: Paracelsus, Lucretius, Calvino, Bachelard, Bergson, Illich, Stokes.
