Transversality: Introduction to architecture

larct1181  2026-2027  Tournai

Transversality: Introduction to architecture
5.00 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Blanckaert Ludovic; Vanhamme Catherine;
Language
French
Main themes
The aim of the ‘transversality’ courses is to bridge the approaches from the theoretical courses and from the design studios through operative concepts, reference analyses and investigation methods.
This first ‘transversality’ course introduces the basic concepts of architecture at various scales. It addresses contemporary issues such as sustainability, interventions in the built environment, and the digital transition. The course encourages a critical stance through the exploration of complementary approaches: Edification, History and Theory, Territory, Habitat and Societies.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Specific Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have gained an overview of the architecture curriculum and an understanding of the studies they are undertaking.
Through the question ‘What is architecture?’, students will be introduced to the following skills:
  • Researching references (libraries, internet, etc.),
  • Observing, reading, describing, and analyzing architecture,
  • Identifying and connecting the constituent elements of architecture,
  • Understanding the architectural design process, its objectives, tools, and methodologies.

General Learning Outcomes

In line with the program’s learning outcomes (LOs), this course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following LOs:
  • LO1.6 Incorporate Sustainable Development requirements into the design process, at multiple scales.
  • LO2.1 Acquire and proficiently apply the conventions of representation in two and three dimensions.
  • LO3.1 Acquire and explain the physical and physiological principles related to architecture.
  • LO3.2 Acquire and explain the construction and technical processes related to architecture.
  • LO4.1 Learn and explain the concepts and methods of scientific disciplines.
  • LO4.2 Learn and experiment with the concepts and approaches of artistic disciplines.
  • LO6.1 Acquire knowledge of disciplinary methods in scientific research.
  • LO6.2 Adopt a critical attitude free from any preconceptions.
 
Content
Introduction to architecture through its constituent parts and in relation to related disciplines: Architecture & Theory: Planning Logic, Architecture & Society, Architecture & Territory, Architecture and Construction. Or, how do these disciplines interact?
A curious reading of architecture, creation of an atlas, and analysis through drawings of reference projects.
Teaching methods
After a presentation of the course topics, the first few weeks will take the form of lectures. Students will be asked to take notes in the form of drawings (A5 notebook).
These presentations (and notes) will provide the necessary support for the second part of the course, which will take place in a workshop setting. Starting with an atlas compiled by the student, they will continue with a drawn analysis of architectural projects, following the guidelines explained at the beginning of the day. This work, which is progressive and continuous, will take the form of a “loge”; each day will end with the submission of a document.
The library (physical and virtual) will be the primary tool for building up a reference library; to this end, an introduction to documentary research tools will be offered by the BAIU.
Evaluation methods
This is a continuous assessment. Attendance is therefore required for both types of classes, as well as for the BAIU introduction, for all students.
Each workshop day ends with the submission of work in progress (part of the assessment), and students gradually build up their work, which they will finalize for submission during the session.
This ongoing work requires that time be set aside each week to sharpen their curiosity and build up their reference framework, which is recorded in their A5 notebook.
Online resources
Moodle
Bibliography
  • Francis DK Ching « Space Form & Order », third edition 2007, John Wiley & sons, Hoboken New Jersey
  • Jacques Lucan « Composition – Non Composition, Architecture et théorie, XIX-XX siècle», 2009, Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, Lausanne
  • Pierre Von Meiss « De la forme au lieu + de la tectonique », 3e edition 2012, Architecture essais, Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, Lausanne
Atlas
  • « Atlas Mnémosyne » - Aby Warburg
  • « Atlas » - Gerhard Richter
  • « Autobiographie iconographique » - Valerio Olgiatti
  • « Floating Images: Eduardo Souto De Moura's Wall Atlas » - Edouardo Souto de Moura
  • « A Visual Inventory » - John Pawson 
  • Etc.
Supports vidéos
  • « Films et CD Arte architectures »  Stan Neumann, Richard Copans
  • Etc.
Faculty or entity
> LOCI


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Architecture (Tournai)
ARCT1BA
5