3 ECTS credits
80 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4020257ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department
Architectural Engineering
Educational team
Stephanie Van de Voorde (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
12 contact hours Lecture
24 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

This course aims to offer insights into conservation theory, its historical evolution and relation to policy and practice, since the early 19th century until today, in order to develop a respectful, sustainable approach for our architectural heritage. The key actors in the international “Conservation Movement” will be discussed, ranging from Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, John Ruskin and Alois Riegl, to Cesare Brandi and Raymond Lemaire among others. By critically analysing the most important charters and documents that have been produced by international bodies such as ICOMOS and UNESCO, the (changing) concepts and position of architectural heritage and monuments within society will be discussed. Theoretical reflections on why and how we should preserve and conserve architectural heritage, and how this evolved during the past centuries, are supplemented with an analysis of (international) policy documents on how to assess and protect our architectural heritage, and insights from practitioners in the field. Students are encouraged to take a critical stance on how to deal with architectural heritage in the future, also in relation to particular themes such as heritage and sustainability, young heritage, and the authenticity of materials.

Additional info

The course consists of interactive lectures, supplemented by thematic lectures and guest lectures. During the seminars, the theme of the writing assignment is explained, feedback is given and (recently restored) building(s) or building site(s) are visited. A combination of online and on-campus lectures and/or seminars is possible.

 

The study material consists of slides, a reader with compulsory and recommended literature and videos. The reader includes a selection of historical documents and charters, like the writings by Viollet-le-Duc, Ruskin and Riegl, as well as the Charter of Athens, the Charter of Venice and the Nara document on Authenticity, among others. These texts are supplemented with historical overviews and critical writings by various authors (e.g. Françoise Choay). The slides, the compulsory and recommended texts and videos are made available via Canvas after each lesson.

A background in architectural history is highly recommended.

 

Learning Outcomes

Specific competences

The following learning outcomes are envisaged in this course unit:

  1. The student can describe and frame the historical evolution of the concepts of monument, preservation, heritage value and heritage criteria within a broader architectural historical and societal context.
  2. The student is able to discern and discuss various theoretical approaches to the preservation of monuments and can reflect critically on them.
  3. The student is familiar with the legal framework and the policy regarding the preservation of monuments in Brussels, and can place this in an international-comparative perspective.
  4. The student can build up a discourse or argument in which he clearly explains and argues his own position in relation to current trends and challenges in the preservation of monuments.
  5. The student can relate the theory of monument care to the policy and practice of restoration and conservation.
  6. The student can evaluate the impact of concrete renovation and restoration interventions on the heritage value of the architectural object.
  7. The student can autonomously search for relevant literature and archive material, process, analyse and interpret it, and make a scientific, original and argued text and academic presentation about it.

General competences

In addition, this course unit also addresses the following general learning outcomes of the Master of Science in Engineering: Architecture:

  1. The Master of Science in Engineering can correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper
  2. The Master of Science in Engineering can present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience
  3. The Master of Science in Engineering has consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects
  4. The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of architectural sciences and sustainable design methods and theories with the specificity of their application to complex architectural and urban design projects
  5. The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering can conceive and implement design concepts by creatively integrating architectural and engineering sciences with attention to the structural, material and energy performance of buildings and structures, and their architectural value and constructability
  6. The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering can expand the scale of the design problem not only in space, but also in time – a crucial dimension of sustainable design – and to comprehend the multi-scalar effects of design interventions.
  7. The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering can critically analyse and reflect on the historical and theoretical context of architectural and urban projects
  8. The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering has an integrative attitude towards using issues of sustainability, ecology and energy as catalyst for creatively rethinking conventional notions of enclosure, tectonics, and programme

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 65% of the final mark.
PRAC Paper determines 30% of the final mark.
Other determines 5% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 65 which comprises 65% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Heritage paper with a relative weight of 30 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

Within the Other category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Daily work with a relative weight of 5 which comprises 5% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is based on an oral exam with written preparation, a written assignment and small assignments throughout the semester.

Part 1: Oral exam. Oral exam with written preparation, in which each student is given a selection of questions that are spread representatively over the entire course.

 

Part 2: Heritage paper. Analysis and assessment of a heritage project, official policies or a conceptual or theoretical approach in the field of architectural heritage (in relation to the annual theme, e.g. sustainability, young heritage, authenticity). This analysis is incorporated into a presentation and written paper (with proper attention for scientific references, structure, iconographic materials, etc.) of approx. 3000 words.

 

Part 3. Daily Work. Small assignments are given throughout the semester, e.g. a critical reflection on a particular topic or on the excursion in the form of one-minute papers.

 

Score weight:

65% of the total final score is based on the oral exam (part 1).

30% of the total final score is based on the heritage paper (part 2).

5% of the final score is based on ‘daily work’ (part 3)

To pass this part of the course, a minimum score of 8/20 for part 1 and part 2 is required. Partial exemptions only apply within the same academic year.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Architectural Engineering: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Studies: Standard track
Master of Architectural Engineering: default