6 1 : 1BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM

The aim of this course is to enrich students' knowledge of contemporary architecture and develop their ability to critically assess the design, construction, and reception of contemporary buildings. Ultimately, the knowledge and skills acquired in this course will contribute to their architectural design abilities as practiced in project workshops.

This course focuses on buildings constructed in Europe from the beginning of the 21st century until very recently. Each class provides an opportunity to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate these buildings in light of the intentions of their designers and other stakeholders, the economic and technical resources that were mobilized, the socio-historical circumstances of their construction, and the way in which these buildings were ultimately received and used by the public and users.

Using concrete case studies, the aim is to question the theories and practices specific to architecture, but also to understand the other factors on which it depends: the media coverage of major projects, the deregulation and financialization of urban development, the rise of digital technologies and the drive for innovation, the heritage status of the built and natural environment, the economy of both financial and material resources, the democratization of decision-making processes, the greening of construction processes and systems, the renewed interest in rural development, etc.