LEARNING PEDAGOGIES

Jane's discussion

Radical Pedagogies: Alvin Boyarsky and the Architectural Association

-1970 Boyarsky developed the "unit system" as the foundation of AA's educational program.

-Worked on the framework of vertical studio, invited tutors to seize pedagogy as a medium for architectural experiment & critical inquiry.

-Started off in an independent summer school culling students, architects, historians, designers & urban planners from across the world to participate. Throughout a six weeks long program of lectures, seminars & workshops described as a marketplace for exchange of ideas.

New Task for Architecture:

"a critic of society", rater merely a form give. The pedagogy embraced a critical stance rather than a professional or social, stance.

-Predominantly fueled by the energies and interests of a lot of people. Hence the school is always bubbling with dozens of, sometimes contradictory ideas. The curriculum must therefore then be conditioned daily, weekly, annually.

- The resulting informality of the "well laid table" and the unregulated activities of the "marketplace" through Boyarsky's modernist ambitions created a new architectural culture.

AA:

Founded in London in 1847 following an article published in the builder's magazine by Robert Kerr & Charles Gray. Its content called upon other architectural students to take training into their own hands who were unhappy with the existing vocational training provided.

A modest beginning with members & invited guests being asked to present their work at regular meetings, and an organised design sessions based on mutual critique.

In 1862, the system was formalised through a voluntary exam which began the model of learning & testing that has contributed towards the professionalism of architectural teaching.

-Annual publishing of the Brown Book, later monthly journal AA notes.

Contemporary history of the AA was dominated by Alvin Boyarsky. His involvment prevented a merger between Imperial College, thus resulted in the loss of government grant. The resulted issue lead to a change of demographic from mostly British students to 90% International students.

Significance of AB's involvement with the AA:

- Tutors were allowed to construct their own educational structures with students free to select their approach that interests them most.

- Encouragement of debates, conflict and works that were subjected to different opinions.

- The resulting creation of the new studio environment inspired architectural schools globally to adopt the new system.

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