As simple as that, a "class" that doesn't even require a teacher. Students meet bi-weekly or monthly or whenever to discuss readings on architecture. Since the future of the Public School (For Architecture) is currently up for a little debate, perhaps a class that welcomes non-architects/the architecture curious to come and talk about the trade/theory/practice with people that are in the thick of it is in order. Discussions can spring from "assigned" readings, then branch out to wherever the group takes them. Readings can be on anything from contemporary architectural theory to art history and everywhere in between. Maybe the class can discuss what readings will be appropriate for the next meeting based on the discussions of the current meeting? As a possibly appropriate first reading, I'll throw out Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas; this way, non architects can learn a little about our city's architectural history and architects can re-hash a book that is entertaining and interesting as both a history and an interpretation thereof.
If there's anyone out there that would be interested in facilitating this, or feels even remotely qualified to lead discussions on architectural texts, that would be great. Otherwise, maybe we can just fend for ourselves?...
- Date
- February 28, 2010 at 3:00pm
- Location
- 177 Livingston St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
- Facilitator
- Gabi Fries-Briggs
- Limit
- none
- Fee
- Free
Comment
A second session of this class has been proposed and scheduled: http://nyc.thepublicschool.org/class/2198. Thanks to everyone who made it to the first class. Hopefully if you couldn't make it on Sunday you will be able to make it to the next one!
We haven't picked a book yet, so if there is something you're interested in reading, please join the discussion on the comments section of the new class page.
2 Mar 2010 1:26PM
Thank you for your comment for the L.A. folks, Davollbach. At this point there are only 5 people interested in L.A. But it may just take a little while to pick it up. We may not be able to figure out what to do (how to participate, etc...) for the class on 28th. But as soon as we do, we will let you guys know.
18 Feb 2010 8:53PM
Do to an unforeseen conflict, I will be unable to attend the first meeting of this class. Fortunately, Gabi Fries-Briggs has agreed to take my place as the facilitator. The class will meet as planned on the 28th to discuss "Learning from Las Vegas". Good Luck! I hope you all enjoy the book and have a great discussion!
16 Feb 2010 1:32AM
I don't think reading the entire book is unreasonable. Obviously the discussion will be more fruitful if more people have made it through the book, but nobody's being graded; it will also be more interesting if there are more people there, so I wouldn't discourage anyone from coming, even if they aren't through all of the book yet (or even if they haven't had a chance to get to much of it at all).
Of course I'm just one voice in the crowd, what are other's thoughts on this?
Also, for the LA folks, I'm glad to see a wider audience taking interest. At the risk of solicitation, I'll just put it out there that my skype username is the same as my Public school handle... And I might have my laptop at the first meeting... Just saying.
9 Feb 2010 10:15PM
It was my intention that people would read the whole book for the first meeting. Its only about 200 pages and it's pretty easy to get through. What do other people think about this?
9 Feb 2010 9:12PM
Rachel, are you assigning the entire book for the first meeting?
9 Feb 2010 4:01PM
Rachel,
This could go various ways. We could have the same readings but don't have to have discussion together. Why don't I copy this class for The Public School in L.A. and go from there? It may take a few weeks for us to pick it up anyways. Hopefully, we can make to the first meeting on 28th. Meanwhile, let us know if you have any ideas on the technical arrangements.
7 Feb 2010 10:51PM
I am organizing this class but do not plan to teach it. It will be a group discussion where everyone can participate and help lead discussion. If people are interested in developing case studies or visual aids, that would be great. Please let me know what you plan to bring before hand. Also, if people in other cities (like L.A.) want to participate, I think that would be great. Is anyone with experience organizing something like that (either over skype or by podcast) interested in helping with the technical arrangements that will be required?
6 Feb 2010 10:53AM
Hi. I am a part of D.A.N. in L.A. and very interested in participating in this book club. (And, I am sure more people in L.A.)
Is there any way we can do this over skype or record on podcast so we can participate from here.
5 Feb 2010 11:30PM
Alright! Thanks for taking this on, Rachel. The 28th sounds perfect and Learning from Las Vegas is a great book. Looking forward to it.
Dave
5 Feb 2010 9:19PM
Nice. That sounds great. I don't see any conflict with date and time. However, besides reading, please let me know if you would be interested in developing and case studios or visual aids.
www.aiasnycct.org
2 Feb 2010 6:41PM
I am currently trying to organize this class. I think the first text we discuss will be "Learning from Las Vegas" by Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown and Steven Izenour. Would Sunday, February 28th at 3pm work for the first meeting of this group? By then we would be able to meet in the new Public School Space at 177 Livingston st. in Downtown Brooklyn.
2 Feb 2010 3:10PM
Via Twitter: 'Who's steering this thing?' #endofarchitecturetexts http://bit.ly/5PEJAu (via @jonathanhanahan + @roryhyde) #lgnlgn
The conversation started by the #endofarchitecturetexts thread (http://a.aaaarg.org/node/8070) on Twitter Dec. 21, 2009–Dec. 30, 2009 is still alive. We may want to include this thread as a required reading because it questions the “canon” and talks about issues related to criticism and the Internet.
27 Jan 2010 8:23AM
Every two weeks would be great. However, the discussion meetings should based on the material we want to cover and how in depth we will be discussing it. It would be great if the discussion could branch out into case studies that tap into any theories etc. or maybe a lecture series. Also, our focus doesn't have to focus completely architecture. I've come across books that merge various disciplines with architecture, that give a very different and interesting approach on the importance of architecture.
DO IT!
www.aiasnycct.org
24 Dec 2009 10:57AM
I'm excited to see how many people are interested in this class; and beginning the discussion by asking why we're even having it seems like a great place to start. Just out of curiosity to those who have expressed interest, how often would people be interested in meeting? Should this class be monthly, bi-monthly, every new moon etc? I think two weeks would be a pretty good amount of time to give people to get through readings without losing enthusiasm, but is that too much of a time commitment? Maybe these are issues that we can discuss at the first meeting.
24 Dec 2009 10:26AM
Yale University Press Director John Donatich on Why Architecture (among other things) Matters via The Front Table, the blog for the Seminary Co-op Bookstore: http://bit.ly/8nktVy
He asks some excellent questions that could help spark the class discussion.
22 Dec 2009 12:17PM
A related discussion is happening on Twitter: http://bit.ly/64aUCJ If this link doesn’t work, go to Twitter and search for #endofarchitecturetexts. (Found this via @loudpaper. Thanks, Mimi!)
A question for those of us who are not architects: How do these texts apply to our respective fields? How do they apply to our personal interests?
22 Dec 2009 8:54AM
I'am definitely interested in developing an architectural theory discussion group. I've come across some very interesting books as The Death & Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs; Towards an Architecture by Le Corbusier and Spaces Speak, ARE YOU LISTENING? by Barry Blesser & Linda-Ruth Salter.
Do IT!
www.aiasnycct.org
19 Dec 2009 4:45PM