In the commitment of tradition

‘In the commitment of tradition’ is the title of a topical and controversial article written by Turinese architects Roberto Gabetti & Aimaro Isola, published in Casabella magazine, no. 215, April-May 1957

Students are required to engage with the notion of ‘tradition’ in architecture, and to specifically delineate at least 2 (but possibly more) types/ideas of tradition in architecture. These 2 or more types of tradition – which could also be called: threads, families, lineages etc. of traditions – must be discussed and supported through a personal argument that indeed defines the specific characters and qualities of each type. Architectural works from the 20th Century must be identified, and relevantly discussed, as belonging to these 2 or more types of tradition.

Students are required to:

– Frame an argument that supports and explains personal theoretical ideas of tradition types/lineages/families/threads (that is: what are the characters of these 2 or more different types of tradition? What is that makes a group/lineage of work be part of the same tradition? Are these 2 or more types of tradition opposite or just different? Why and how? Or, perhaps, do they share some degrees of empathy, despite being different? How do you support your ideas of tradition types/lineages/families/threads? Which philosophical/theoretical references support your argument? etc.).

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– Further consolidate your 2 or more ideas of tradition by relating to these some architectural works by different architects from the 20th Century. In other words, students are required to group and discuss works from different architects that nonetheless may be sharing some commonalities, and therefore could be considered parts of the same tradition, according indeed to the argument that is put forward in order to define and support these 2 or more types/ideas of tradition.

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Describe how and why these works and/or thoughts can be attributed to the 2 or more types/ideas of tradition that are put forward.

In addition to this, students may like to depict degrees of empathy between the discussed types/ideas of tradition and their own works and architectural approach. In other words, students may like to depict and theoretically investigate upon the 2 or more types/ideas of architectural tradition that are put forward through their argument, so as to also be able to relate their own works + way of thinking and approaching architecture. If so, students are required to state and discuss the relationship between the architectural traditions that are argued through the essay and their own approach – this should be done in a tenuous, although considerate, way (that is: without spending too much time in discussing the personal students’ works, but rather offering a few insightful reflective thoughts that contribute to position students’ personal approach in relation to the discussed types/ideas/lineages/families/threads of architectural tradition).

The examples that are elected to be part of the types/ideas of tradition proposed by the students must be discussed as a thread of correlated references, rather than being merely described/discussed as individual examples. Students are indeed required to relate their depicted trajectories of correlated works (which are expected to be from different times) to an argument (that is: your position in regard to the notion of tradition in architecture, and your personal proposition of different types/ideas of traditions) that must be theoretically constructed, framed and discussed in an eloquent and articulate way.

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To support their argument and the theoretical reasons that inform their personal argument and the 2 or more types/ideas of architectural tradition, students are required to illustrate their research through drawings specifically produced for the essay (sketches, diagrams, re-elaboration of original drawings/images, etc.) as well as, when possible, personal photographs. In addition to these, students are of course also required to use images and general illustrative material from archive and bibliographic references.

Students must refer to al least ten (10) works, from at least five (5) different architects, for each of the proposed types/ideas of architectural traditions. The works discussed may be built or unbuilt.

frame, test and develop a personal individual interpretation of the topic, the discussion of which is expected to be highly informed by a level of both theory and critique.

• Students are expected to articulate their essay with the inclusion of a substantial initial part to introduce and discuss the theoretical framework, a central part to illustrate the theoretical framework, and a conclusive part as a demonstration of the argued theoretical framework.

• In addition to the required personal drawings and photos (refer to the topic requirements above), students are also required to use images and general illustrative material from archive and bibliographic references.

• Students are expected to widely refer to bibliographic support material and appropriately make use of the process of footnoting, in addition to the production of a general reference bibliography.

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