Lecture Course "History and Theory of Public Building Types"

The lectures deal with the historical evolution of public buildings and public spaces. Two aspects are important: function and architectural space. The history of function is one of diversification and specialization. History has shown that programmatic ideas and spatial ideas correspond within their own time but that form does not always follow function. In many cases, typical spatial forms are capable of coping with a diversity of functional requirements. Function can be implicit as well as explicit; how could we otherwise reuse old buildings.

Public buildings and public spaces are as much a result of conflicting architectural ideas proposed by different periods of history as they are the result of a specific programmatic idea of their own time. Ideal buildings and ideal spaces are the exception; in most cases, architects are concerned with the reconciliation of conflicting spatial ideals and conflicting programmatic ideas.

The lectures are an attempt to explain how the purpose of public buildings has changed over time, with the aim of finding out where their purpose lies in our time.

Six lectures will deal with the evolution of political functions, from the Aeropagus to the modern parliament. Four lectures will deal with public buildings such as the library, the theatre, or the hotel.

Prof. em. Karl-Heinz Schmitz

3ECTS