Research Project: Modern Times
The research project “Modern Times” seeks to challenge the prevailing narrative of modern architecture, predominantly centered on Western perspectives promoted by entities such as CIAM, the Ford Foundation, and MOMA, among others. Through the examination of various architectural and urban projects, the research aims to critically reevaluate modern architecture in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions, often marginalized or overlooked in mainstream discourse. This project offers an opportunity to explore diverse manifestations of modernity and propose alternative frameworks of architectural knowledge that go beyond the traditional paradigms of the Modern movement’s language and formal structures.
Each student will investigate a case study, addressing several key questions: How does the project align with the country’s modernization efforts? What defines the project as modern? What architectural elements characterize the selected piece, and how do they reflect the local culture?
The final presentation will consist of three A2 boards:
Opening Page and Introduction:
This board will serve as the introduction to the case study.
It will feature an opening page with the title of the project (“Modern Times”) and the name of the case study.
The introduction will briefly address some key questions, setting the stage for the in-depth exploration.
Images and Text:
This board will primarily focus on visual representation through images and accompanying text.
It will showcase photographs, renderings, or other visual materials related to the case study.
The text will further delve into the case study, addressing specific questions and providing context or analysis as needed.
Two and Three-Dimensional Analytical Drawings:
This board will present analytical drawings of the case study, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional.
These drawings may include floor plans, elevations, sections, diagrams, or models that provide a deeper understanding of the project’s architectural elements and spatial organization.
The analytical drawings will offer insights into the case study’s design principles, functionality, and cultural significance.
