History of Architecture
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to illustrate the historical development of Western architecture from Middle Age to XX century. Specific moments and building will be presented as case-studies in relation with the theory and critic of architecture.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of Western architecture from Middle Age till today and of its connections with painting and sculpture.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Acquiring primary historical and critical skills and methods for the study, interpretation and analysis of architecture and for their contextualization.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Acquiring primary historical and critical skills and methods for the study, interpretation and analysis of architecture and for their contextualization.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide a critical overview of the history of western architecture from the Late Antiquity to the 20th century, with a focus on particular historical periods, as well as on the design and construction phases of single buildings.
PART A (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Gothic architecture, 12th-15th century.
PART B (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Early modern architecture. This module covers the main thematic and historiographical turning points in architecture from the 15th to the 18th century, based on a selection of project architects, building sites and treaties.
PART C (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Contemporary architecture. By examining a selection of project architects, building sites as well as theoretical and critical works, this module investigates the wheres and hows of the endless search for modernity that characterised architecture in the 19th and 20th centuries from a formal, typological, technological and construction perspective.
Students who want to take the 6-CFU exam have to choose two out of the three modules.
PART A (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Gothic architecture, 12th-15th century.
PART B (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Early modern architecture. This module covers the main thematic and historiographical turning points in architecture from the 15th to the 18th century, based on a selection of project architects, building sites and treaties.
PART C (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS credits) - Contemporary architecture. By examining a selection of project architects, building sites as well as theoretical and critical works, this module investigates the wheres and hows of the endless search for modernity that characterised architecture in the 19th and 20th centuries from a formal, typological, technological and construction perspective.
Students who want to take the 6-CFU exam have to choose two out of the three modules.
Prerequisites for admission
Adequate knowledge of the Italian language and of the history of western art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by audiovisual materials (PowerPoint presentations and videos).
Teaching Resources
PART A - Students can use any good textbook to prepare for this part. Particularly recommended is R. Krautheimer, Architettura sacra paleocristiana e medievale, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1993 or later editions, pp. 3-219.
Non-attending students must also choose and read ONE of the following books:
C. Tosco, L'architettura italiana del Duecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021;
C. Tosco, L'architettura italiana del Trecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022.
PART B - 1) For the centuries covered by this module, students should study from one of the textbooks indicated in the reading list on My Ariel.
Particularly recommended are:
D. Watkin, Storia dell'architettura occidentale, Zanichelli, Milano 2016 or later editions;
Lineamenti di storia dell'architettura, Armando editore, Roma 2019.
2) Students must also read an additional text to be chosen in agreement with the course lecturer; for an overview of the options, see the reading list available on MyAriel.
PART C - 1) For the centuries covered by this module, students should study from one of the textbooks indicated in the reading list on My Ariel.
Particularly recommended are:
D. Watkin, Storia dell'architettura occidentale, Zanichelli, Milano 2016 or later editions;
E. della Piana, G. Montanari, Una storia dell'architettura contemporanea, UTET, Torino 2015 or later editions;
K. Frampton, Storia dell'architettura moderna, Zanichelli, Milano 1990 or later editions;
A. Muntoni, Lineamenti di storia dell'architettura contemporanea, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2009.
2) Students must also read an additional text to be chosen in agreement with the course lecturer; for an overview of the options, see the reading list available on MyAriel.
For parts B and C, non-attending students have no additional obligations compared to attending students, but attending students will have the opportunity to present a topic of their choice — from those covered in the class — at the beginning of the exam.
Non-attending students must also choose and read ONE of the following books:
C. Tosco, L'architettura italiana del Duecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021;
C. Tosco, L'architettura italiana del Trecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022.
PART B - 1) For the centuries covered by this module, students should study from one of the textbooks indicated in the reading list on My Ariel.
Particularly recommended are:
D. Watkin, Storia dell'architettura occidentale, Zanichelli, Milano 2016 or later editions;
Lineamenti di storia dell'architettura, Armando editore, Roma 2019.
2) Students must also read an additional text to be chosen in agreement with the course lecturer; for an overview of the options, see the reading list available on MyAriel.
PART C - 1) For the centuries covered by this module, students should study from one of the textbooks indicated in the reading list on My Ariel.
Particularly recommended are:
D. Watkin, Storia dell'architettura occidentale, Zanichelli, Milano 2016 or later editions;
E. della Piana, G. Montanari, Una storia dell'architettura contemporanea, UTET, Torino 2015 or later editions;
K. Frampton, Storia dell'architettura moderna, Zanichelli, Milano 1990 or later editions;
A. Muntoni, Lineamenti di storia dell'architettura contemporanea, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2009.
2) Students must also read an additional text to be chosen in agreement with the course lecturer; for an overview of the options, see the reading list available on MyAriel.
For parts B and C, non-attending students have no additional obligations compared to attending students, but attending students will have the opportunity to present a topic of their choice — from those covered in the class — at the beginning of the exam.
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course there will be an oral exam, where students will be tested on their knowledge of course topics, critical thinking skills and clarity of exposition.
Modules or teaching units
Part A
ICAR/18 - HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Della Valle Mauro
Parts B and C
ICAR/18 - HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Bossi Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)