You will write a biography and analytical critique of a well-known Renaissance- or Baroque-era monument (roughly understood as dating from 1400-1750
AD).
The assignment has multiple purposes:
-to gain skills in basic library and website research about architectural subjects
-to understand the sequence and importance of precedents and progeny
-to compile and curate a set of representative images as descriiptive evidence
-to develop an ability to analyze and critique a building, both verbally and graphically
-to learn how to generate new graphic material in support of a thesis
-to work on the basic writing skills necessary for a mid-length report
The subject will be selected from the list of examples provided at the end of this assignment. We have discussed all these possible examples in class. If you
wish to pick a subject not included on this list, please speak with me personally first (the goal there is for me to make sure that sufficient scholarly
documentation is available).
The length of the paper is approximately 6 typed pages—1800 words (not counting images). A good sample organization to follow would be: ½ page for
general introduction, 1-½ pages to convey the basic facts and essentials about the building (how, what, why, where and by whom), 1-½ pages to offer
commentary on possible precedents and progeny, 1-½ pages of descriiption/analysis to accompany freshly created graphic diagrams, and 1 page for a
conclusion and/or culminating opinions. Please use 12 pt font and double-spacing.
You must include comprehensive footnote citations on where you are locating specific written information or previously-formed opinions (images are treated
differently, see below). You are asked to find at least ten scholarly sources (several of which may be books either required or recommended for the course). It
is assumed that several of these will be websites. At least one must be a published journal article. At least two must be books not listed as in use for the
course. For print sources, please use: author, title (city of publication: publisher, date). For web sources use: author (if available), detailed web address, date
accessed. Note that this bibliography is required to be turned in early in draft form. It is your choice whether to use footnote numbers anew for each page or
counted across the entire paper. A recommendation is about 20+ footnotes.
In addition to the written component, each paper should include at the end approximately four 8-½ x 11” pages of graphic documentation (predominantly preexisting images selected from websites—probably several images per page) to fully describe the building and illustrate any detailed points you are making in
the text, and approximately 2 pages of freshly created diagrammatic analysis. Thus, the full content portion of the paper is approximately 12 pages. Do not
interleaf the images and the text; these should be kept separate, with figure indicators inserted into the text with parentheses—(see Figure #6)—to direct the
reader’s attention to the appropriate image. You will be evaluated on the precision and curation of the images you select and create, and how carefully they
are keyed to the text. Burying the reader in extraneous imagery irrelevant to the argument is not a virtue. Do not include image source information; we will
assume all visual imagery is harvested as ‘fair use’ from the web. Speak with me if you are not familiar with common graphic programs through which fresh
imagery related to architecture is commonly created (for students from outside the Architecture and Planning programs, please speak with me and we will
determine how this can be best accomplished in your case). Make sure it is clear which images you have made fresh, however, versus those that are
harvested.
Also add a single page cover sheet, with title, name, date and a representative image. Also add a one-age bibliography at the back which lists all written
sources used. Thus, the total page count is approximately 14 pages—all 8-½ x 11”. Submit to the TA one printed copy and one copy electronically via e-mail.
You will have the opportunity to turn in an early draft—approximately 10 days before the due date—for comment and suggestions by the instructor. This is
highly recommended. You then will resubmit both the final paper and your draft for final consideration. One intention of the paper is to develop skills in
research/analysis about buildings—a constant but little-discussed need in day-to-day design practice. Writing will be an active portion of your assessment on
the papers; every architect must be able to write clearly and concisely in their professional practice. A very good reason to take advantage of the ‘draft’
process is to get help with writing.
List of Subjects:
Dome of the Florence Cathedral, Brunelleschi, 1420-1436
Basilica di Santo Spirito (‘Basilica of the Holy Spirit’), Florence, Brunelleschi, 1428-1487
Pazzi Chapel at the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Brunelleschi, 1442-1443
Palazzo Rucellai, Fl.orence, Alberti, 1446-1451
Basilica of Sant’Andrea, Mantua, Alberti, 1472-1494
Cloister, Santa Maria della Pace, Rome, Bramante, 1500-1504
Chapel, San Pietro in Montorio, Rome, Bramante, ca. 1502
Plan for St. Peter’s, Rome, Bramante & Michelangelo, 1506 and following