Theorie der Architektur und Entwerfen

What is architectural theory? It can be understood as a discipline of the humanities. As a history of ideas, it deals with context, content, theses, positions and the socio-cultural implications of architecture. The relevance of architectural theory lies in offering a basis for understanding planning, design and construction as activities that reflect social responsibility. It enables architects to inquire on current challenges in architecture and urban design in an analytical way and answer related questions in a reflective manner according to scientific standards.

Students develop seminar-based results in form of text and illustrations that encourage them to develop individual viewpoints. The ability to transfer results provides a connection between topics of teaching and practice as well as the Department’s interdisciplinary research projects. Architecture can be understood as societal and cultural value that is oriented on requirements of design, aesthetics and ethics. Architectural theory deals with these aspects in an interdisciplinary way according to perspectives of social sciences and cultural studies. The Department offers a corresponding field of studies. The theoretical basis that is conveyed within the lectures of the Bachelor Program are advanced according to different topical foci within the Master Program that are directly related to contemporary issues and debates of architectural design. The most important tools are observation, comparison and evaluation of positions in architectural theory. For individual orientation, teaching subjects are provided according to required categories and goal-oriented perspectives.