MARCH650 HT: InterArchitectures

This seminar looks at expanded models of contemporary architectural practice that integrate technologies, tasks and topics typically found in other fields. New technologies (sensor, responsive systems, modeling and fabrication), tasks (design/build) and topics (social / ecological intervention, nonprofit) are specific outside forces that motivate new forms of practice. Sometimes they retrace the boundaries of the architect's job - procedural, conceptual, legal, technical. Each of these proposes a viable new form of practice. All are relevant for students approaching the end of their studies, as one considers the start of a career in a professional landscape whose boundaries are growing ever wider. The class will review some background in definitions of practice and earlier forms of interdisciplinarity, through readings and case studies. These cases run chronologically from early examples like Piranesi and Boullée through Paul Virilio, Lebbeus Woods, early Tschumi and Diller-Scofidio. Contemporary practices include SHoP, Testa, The Living, ONL and others.