Week #2: In this lecture by Dr.

Don Choi, we learned about the why of architecture, both the theoretical and the historical aspect of it. Architectural theory is the development of perspectives on architecture throughout history. Thinking, discussing, and writing about it helps us build our own interpretation and understanding about design. Over time, ideas arise and we must filter through them to achieve a goal. Theory describes the practice and production of architecture, using observations on current states of discipline to offer new solutions to challenges. One example shown was Bernard Tschumis follies in La Parc de la Villete. These buildings are red and unusual, provocatively sitting in the middle of Paris. These are architectural representations of deconstruction, making use of the space in the park that had no history, called a nonspace. The function of this form promotes anti-tourism. The relation between form and function is an important one, since a building design should have a purpose. The relationship between them is the why of architecture. For example, Louis Sullivan invented the skyscraper, a distinctive trait of American architecture. This tall office building design is built vertically, suitable for busy downtown spaces full of businesses. The function is to give these people a place to work; the form is to use up the space and evoke a distinguishable appearance of loftiness. Another example is Le Cosbusiers approach to modern design. He brainstorms the function of a house (a machine for living in) and uses an engineers method of creating efficient and logical buildings. An engineer attains harmony, but an architect creates beauty that stirs emotion with the use of sculptural form. Form ever follows function, and this is the law. Lastly, Thomas Jefferson designed the Virginia State House that resembles an ancient Roman temple, representing the new republic and making connections between building and culture. The University of Virginia is also composed of small connected pavilions that express the essence of independence and unity of a federal union. Architectural theory is the fundamental basis of architecture, one that helps designers make decisions concerning their motives within the creation of their piece. By thinking about architecture, we make explicit our understanding of the art and broaden our influences that will aid us in design.